By the end of the day nearly 1,000 neglected and abused dogs were freed from the horrendous industry that traps hundreds of thousands of dogs in a dismal cycle of suffering.

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Local authorities had received complaints that the property owner was discharging pollution without a permit. When they arrived on the scene to investigate the claims, they found a grossly overrun breeding facility wrought with obvious animal neglect.

Once on site, the officials convinced the property owner to relinquish ownership of all 1,000 dogs at the facility. The owner also signed a document barring her from ever operating another breeding facility.

The Humane Society of the United States had earlier been called by the Humane Society of Parkersburg.

The HSUS was appointed lead animal welfare agency on this case and had spent weeks preparing for for the complexities of caring for what was expected to be--and indeed became--a heart-breaking number of animals.

They were mostly dachshunds, but many Yorkies, King Charles Cavaliers, Poodles and Jack Russels bred on the facility.

Breeding dogs were housed in small rabbit hutches throughout the property--many with no access to water in the potentially deadly 95-degree heat.

With the help of United Animal Nations, Best Friends Animal Society and the Humane Society of Missouri, we followed law enforcement onto the property. Together, we set up an emergency shelter and begin to rescue the dogs from the squalid cages where they would've spent their entire lives.

Fragile young puppies and mothers were the first receive veterinary care and the safety of the shelter. The rest of the dogs will be removed over the next few days. From the shelter, the dogs will be transported to humane organizations across the nation where they will be evaluated and put up for adoption.

For the latest on the puppy mill story, visit the Humane Society of Parkersburg website.

Photo courtesy The Humane Society of the United States