Remember JRT John’s Jack Russell Terriers, the Michigan breeding operation run by John D. Jones? How could you not! Ever since PETA published our undercover investigation—which showed that Jones warehoused dogs outdoors in the freezing cold and mutilated puppies—and held a four-day sit-in at the Missaukee County Sheriff’s Office, it’s been victory after victory for the dogs Jones once tormented and exploited. Now, following news of the 39 dogs’ rescue as well as the felony cruelty-to-animals and related charges filed against Jones, we have an exciting new development: Right at this very moment, two of the dogs who were rescued are on a very special road trip. Thanks to the good folks at the Cherryland Humane Society in Michigan, these two gals are headed straight to PETA’s shelter for more TLC and to prepare for life in a loving new home together.
A PETA fieldworker and a Cherryland Humane Society staffer prepare these two dogs—rescued from a Michigan puppy-breeding operation—for the trip of a lifetime.
While at JRT John’s Jack Russell Terriers, these two dogs were kept solely for breeding, with no comforts at all—isolated in a pen without beds, toys, or stimulation of any kind. They were confined outside on mud and exposed to the cold, rain, and snow—leaving them soaked and unable to get warm or even dry. During winter, their water froze nearly every day.
Before she was rescued and hit the road for PETA’s shelter, this dog was given only a few handfuls of new straw for the dilapidated doghouse she was forced to exist in—it was all the breeder would allow.
Denied companionship, exercise, and stimulation, these two girls and the other frantic terriers just ran around in circles, paced back and forth, and jumped up and down, clawing at the wire fencing in desperation. Their barking was deafeningly loud. This type of behavior was a heartbreaking attempt to cope with the frustration and stress of intensive confinement and deprivation—horrors that these two dogs, now safe in PETA’s care, will never have to face again.
PETA’s investigator never saw the breeder touch this dog or any of those who were housed outside. At the Cherryland Humane Society—and now on the road with PETA’s fieldworkers—this girl and her sister are receiving the gentle caresses that social animals like them need.
Once at PETA’s shelter, they’ll get much-needed rest, warmth, affection, and respect while we find them the perfect permanent home together. They’ll never again be used for breeding, watch helplessly as their puppies are taken from them and mutilated, or be kept in isolation. These long-suffering Jack Russell terriers will finally have the lives they always deserved.
If you think you have what it takes to give these two the life they deserve,
e-mail Adopt@peta.org.
Follow @PETA on Twitter and check back here for updates about these girls’ journey. Please also click below to help prevent more cruelty from being inflicted on dogs.
It’s up to the Michigan Department of Agriculture & Rural Development to oversee kennels—it’s expected to enforce bare minimum standards for dogs’ care. Please urge it to ensure that dogs never again suffer at Jones’ hands anywhere in Michigan.
The post Remember the Michigan Breeder Who Twisted off Puppies’ Tails? 39 Dogs Were Rescued—These Two Are on Their Way to PETA appeared first on PETA.