Your Comments..
ANY comments with profanity will be deleted as soon as I find them, and your IP address will be banned. If you can't make your point without cursing, you don't have any business posting.
I am looking for teh breeder that sold a isabella and tan dashund female to a lady named Sappington in central Florida. We now have the dog and am looking to find out how she is bred. Thankyou and all your help would be appreciated
--Posted by: Terry Turnbull at June 21, 2007 5:17 PM
I am looking for teh breeder that sold a isabella and tan dashund female to a lady named Sappington in central Florida. We now have the dog and am looking to find out how she is bred. Thankyou and all your help would be appreciated
--Posted by: Terry Turnbull at June 21, 2007 5:17 PM
I am looking for teh breeder that sold a isabella and tan dashund female to a lady named Sappington in central Florida. We now have the dog and am looking to find out how she is bred. Thankyou and all your help would be appreciated
--Posted by: Terry Turnbull at June 21, 2007 5:17 PM
I am looking for teh breeder that sold a isabella and tan dashund female to a lady named Sappington in central Florida. We now have the dog and am looking to find out how she is bred. Thankyou and all your help would be appreciated
--Posted by: Terry Turnbull at June 21, 2007 5:17 PM
I am looking for teh breeder that sold a isabella and tan dashund female to a lady named Sappington in central Florida. We now have the dog and am looking to find out how she is bred. Thankyou and all your help would be appreciated
--Posted by: Terry Turnbull at June 21, 2007 5:17 PM
I am looking for teh breeder that sold a isabella and tan dashund female to a lady named Sappington in central Florida. We now have the dog and am looking to find out how she is bred. Thankyou and all your help would be appreciated
--Posted by: Terry Turnbull at June 21, 2007 5:17 PM
I am looking for teh breeder that sold a isabella and tan dashund female to a lady named Sappington in central Florida. We now have the dog and am looking to find out how she is bred. Thankyou and all your help would be appreciated
--Posted by: Terry Turnbull at June 21, 2007 5:17 PM
I am looking for teh breeder that sold a isabella and tan dashund female to a lady named Sappington in central Florida. We now have the dog and am looking to find out how she is bred. Thankyou and all your help would be appreciated
--Posted by: Terry Turnbull at June 21, 2007 5:17 PM
I am looking for teh breeder that sold a isabella and tan dashund female to a lady named Sappington in central Florida. We now have the dog and am looking to find out how she is bred. Thankyou and all your help would be appreciated
--Posted by: Terry Turnbull at June 21, 2007 5:17 PM
We adopted a 6 year old black female pug taken in the Brownwood Puppy Mill rescue last year. When we first brought her home she was absolutely terrified. She has since adjusted very well and we can not imagine my life with out her. We can see increasing joy in her face everyday.
I do have to report that after we adopted her and took her to our own family vet she was diagonsed with advanced breast cancer. The cancer was understandably misdiagnosed previously by the Humane Society as mastitis due to the years she bore milk. Her anal glands were impacted as well. Our vet performed what amounts to the equivalent in human terms as a radical mastectomy and she is all healed now, with no signs of any more cancer. If she had not been part of this rescue effort she would have died from the breat cancer within a very short time period.
All I can do is thank God everyday that this little angel came into our life so she could finally live the life of luxury she always deserved.
Thank yo for all you have done for these precious animals!
Melissa Lane
Austin, Texas
--Posted by: Melissa Lane at June 14, 2007 12:44 PM
please let me know if you have a young datchund for adoption. I live in San Antonio, Texas.
My email address is Amethystdrms@aol.com
--Posted by: Patricia at September 30, 2006 5:17 PM
I adopted one of the Chihuahuas from the humane society in Austin and he is the sweetest dog. I recommend that you try to do the same if they are still available. He is so loving and grateful. He loves our basset hound and is the perfect fit to our home. It makes me sick to think of all he has been through and still manages to have a good attitude. I think is just awful that that woman is allowed to keep any dogs. That is completely unacceptable! She should be banned from ever owning a dog again!
--Posted by: Trisha Leslie at June 1, 2006 9:10 AM
Dear Mr. Fuquay,
Thank you so much for writing on the blog. We are SO grateful that you
granted the warrant to seize Ms. Simpson's animals, and I'm sorry to hear
that you have been receiving so many negative calls regarding this matter.
This is a very sensitive issue to all of us and we're glad that Comanche
County wants to do right by the animals.
It is not my intention to make Ms. Simpson look like a monster. It is clearly evident that she has some mental issues. I have met her, been to her property and been inside her home and have seen the conditions which she lives and the
conditions that the dogs are living and being bred. What we do know is that she is completely incapable of caring for
the animals and they are being neglected. They are not being vaccinated or
treated for the many internal and external parasites that our veterinarians
have diagnosed over the last several days. Some of these parasites can be
spread to humans and are very detrimental to children Many dogs have
advanced dental disease that is causing bacteria to spread through their
bodies. Their health has been neglected and she is breeding animals with
health conditions that should not be bred. She is living among urine and
feces and she needs help. This is not a healthy environment for any person
or any animal.
We all understand that Comanche County's decision will not be based on
emotions - no legal decision should be. That is why we will be present
tomorrow at the hearing to assist Brown County Humane Society by providing
medical evidence that shows that Ms. Simpson can no longer care for these
dogs. As caring peopple, we would also like to see the County help Ms.
Simpson, as she is clearly living in filth and in very unsanitary
conditions.
I look forward to meet you tomorrow. Barbara Lewis
--Posted by: Barbara Lewis at May 21, 2006 11:17 PM
I had to correct this. I just spoke with one of the Brown County Humane Society employees and she said that they did not make an arrangement with Simpson for veterinary care for the dogs. I understood that they had and reported it falsely here. I apologize for the misunderstanding.
--Posted by: Duane Fuquay at May 21, 2006 9:14 PM
Hi, I was wondering whether truth has any place here. Usually, truth is more complicated than an internet blog. Twylah Simpson is not a monster, as some of you have described her. She's an elderly woman and, in her mind, she loves these dogs. She's simply not financially or physically able to care for them anymore.
About a month ago, I went with representatives of the Brown County Humane Society to Simpson's residence because the Humane Society had received complaints about the "puppy mill." We spoke with Simpson and the Humane Society employees photographed and video taped the location. I'm a criminal investigator in Texas and I'm not familiar with Health Department regulations concerning breeding facilities. I was told, at that time, by the Humane Society employees that they were actually impressed by Simpson's facility and that the only real concern they had was that the dogs' water bowls had mold in them. The Humane Society made arrangements with Simpson at that time to help her obtain food and veterinary care for the dogs, arrange for rescue organizations to adopt some of the dogs and to obtain a new hot water heater, since hers had quit working. Ms. Simpson and the Humane Society employees got along extremely well.
Last week, I received a telephone call at my office from Barbara Lewis, who wanted to know what I intended to do about the "puppy mill." I explained to Ms. Lewis that I had observed no criminal offense while I was at the location with the Humane Society and she told me that she had been there a few days previous and that the conditions were "horrifying." I contacted the Humane Society and was told that they had accompanied Lewis and other volunteers to the location to rescue 30 dogs and that Simpson had acquired more dogs than she had had previously and that conditions had worsened considerably. I then re-examined the situation and determined that the dogs would have to be seized and I wrote a warrant to have them seized. There will be a hearing in court tomorrow to determine whether the dogs will be returned to Ms. Simpson or they will be awarded to the Sheriff's Office.
None of this will be decided by emotion. I have received numerous telephone calls from concerned individuals who have no idea of the reality of the situation. I quit returning calls eventually so that I could do my job instead of talking to uninformed people on the phone. I'm sure you all mean well, but I can assure you that the Comanche County Sheriff's Office will do everything possible to help these animals. I'm a dog lover myself and have a bull mastiff, who's the most spoiled dog you'll ever meet.
--Posted by: Duane Fuquay at May 21, 2006 10:46 AM
I heard that the courts might let this woman have those poor babies back. What is wrong with Texas? In any other state in the union the puppy mill would have been shut down over the deplorable condition of the housing, the water bowls and the poor health of the dogs rescued. This woman needs to be treated like she was treating those dogs. Let her sleep in her own poop and drink from a nasty bowl that may not even contain water. One of the sherriffs was quoted as saying heck my cattle have worms. The dogs are not livestock for one thing and for another thing even cattle are supposed to be de-wormed. Again I ask, What is wrong with Texas? I sure hope I dont get any of your beef. I am glad I don't live there.
--Posted by: Sue Dillard at May 21, 2006 6:25 AM
From Puppies to People:
" Live here long enough and you discover that at the heart of small-town life there is special form of communal cowardice. It's called "being neighborly," a coded phrase for enforced silence about our sins, failures and nasty secrets.
This small-town omerta enshrouds all acts, from child abuse to abuse of our countryside." Greg Palast - The New York Times
Sunday, June 7, 1998
-------------
" The focus of this statement is on hate crimes related to 9/11. We wish not to dismiss other acts of hate that
have been leveled against people of color and the gay and lesbian community in Texas. For one example,
the ACLU, with local concerned citizens, is currently investigating a rash of hate crime in Brownwood,
Texas. We suspect atleast 10 hate crimes in that town alone including murders and even murders of
witnesses to those hate crimes. Local officials have repeatedly refused to investigate or prosecute these
crimes according to the mandates of the the Hate Crimes Act. In one instance, a field officer drafted a
crime report which clearly documented race as the motive of the violent crime. Nevertheless, the local
District Attorney's office still refused to prosecute this at all, much less as a hate crime. Our conclusion is
that the law alone is not enough. The Texas Attorney General, or some external body, must be vested with
full authority to prosecute these crimes or at least monitor the law's enforcement in some meaningful way."
source: http://64.233.161.104/search?q=cache:soW35a9MtrUJ:www.aclu.org/FilesPDFs/harrell_statement.pdf+brownwood+hate+crimes&hl=en&gl=us&ct=clnk&cd=14&client=safari
--Posted by: Steve at May 20, 2006 8:58 PM
I am so glad that our calls and emails were able to change the powers that be minds about going in after the other dogs that were left behind after the initial "raid"....I am glad that a lot of us helped get this woman shut down...what a tragedy for those poor animals to be kept that way...
Caty Ralston, Houston, TX
--Posted by: Caty at May 20, 2006 8:15 AM
I heard of this woman thru friends of mine all the way up here in NY. Shame on her. To see the pictures and hear of the conditions it tore my heart into pieces. Thank God someone took a stand to aid these puppies and stop this monster. May she be punished to the fullest extent of the law.
Maranda,
Dutchess County, New York
--Posted by: Maranda Dutchess Co. NY at May 20, 2006 12:04 AM
Way to go! There was a massive campaign of phone calls and emails to the Brownwood and Comanche County officials to get this woman shut down! Twilla Simpsons dogs have been seized and are now in the hands of rescuers. Now comes the hardest part.... finding foster homes and healing these poor animals, then finding permanent homes for all of them. If you have a place in your heart to adopt or just foster these furkids, you help is appreciated!
Puppymillers don't just harm the animals... they put a burden on the community to clean up their messes and take responsibility for these animals. Our shelters are full of unwanted dogs and cats. A majority of which are euthanized.
Thank you to everyone who called and emailed and made a choice to have a voice in this matter! In the future, don't be afraid to be heard! We can defeat these horrid puppymillers if we stick together! Hopefully every one of the dogs rescued today will find a loving home.
Kim
Austin, Texas
--Posted by: Kim at May 18, 2006 9:31 PM
i have just finished reading this horrific story about this obvious lack of caring on behalf of the local police dept. I rescued a daschound from a breeder about 2 yrs ago and i would do it again in a heart beat, people like this should have all their rights to own much less breed any animal taken away from them for life. and as part of their punishment it would be nice to have them live and try to survive in such conditions. My husband and i have rescued 4 dogs and 2 cats over the years and will continue to be a part of saving lives like these as long as the good lord allows us and we would be happy to rescue another, everyone who answers this should agree to save one of these little darlings. feel free to contact us for adoption needs especially to help with those daschounds.
robin arnett
onalaska, tx
--Posted by: robin arnett at May 18, 2006 10:44 AM
i have just finished reading this horrific story about this obvious lack of caring on behalf of the local police dept. I rescued a daschound from a breeder about 2 yrs ago and i would do it again in a heart beat, people like this should have all their rights to own much less breed any animal taken away from them for life. and as part of their punishment it would be nice to have them live and try to survive in such conditions. My husband and i have rescued 4 dogs and 2 cats over the years and will continue to be a part of saving lives like these as long as the good lord allows us and we would be happy to rescue another, everyone who answers this should agree to save one of these little darlings. feel free to contact us for adoption needs especially to help with those daschounds.
robin arnett
onalaska, tx
--Posted by: robin arnett at May 18, 2006 10:42 AM
Reading about these neglected and abused dogs and puppies makes my heart cry and my stomach sick.
I have a great respect for all the people who are trying to save these animals. I live in Florida and I wish there was something that I could do to help you. I have called all the phone numbers listed above and am hoping that these people will call me back. All of the people that I did speak to were very gracious and listened to my concerns about the puppy mill (except this Mr. Fuqua who undoubtedly would not answer his phone when he heard that my message was about the puppy mill.) I will call these officials everyday until they get tired of hearing my voice. Have you contacted your district attorney yet? Maybe there is something he could do to help.
--Posted by: Judy at May 17, 2006 2:26 PM
Breeding animals is a business.
Good breeding produces quality pets.
Bad breeding produces sick, damaged, scared and less than quality pets.
What this woman did was criminal and she should be prosecuted as a criminal. If these were a nursery, a school, a foster/family home, I doubt officials would be making a decision not to prosecute.
If we don't speak for these animals, who will?
If our city/county/state government don't protect those who can't protect themselves, who will. Voting pet owners will!!
--Posted by: Susan at May 17, 2006 10:25 AM
This story got my blood boiling, so I wrote the Brownwood Bullentin and said the following. I don't know what my note will do, but my hope is that by this story being made public they will shut this crazy lady down.
To Whom It May Concern:
I just read a story with regard to a lady that is running what is apparently a puppy mill. The conditions in which she is doing this sounds horrible and I don’t understand why in the world she is allow to stay in business. It is apparent that Dwayne Fuqua, who is a loser, does not care about these animals even when it is apparent that the conditions are not right. The way I see it, not only is he a loser but so is Virgil Cowin, Joe Don Taylor and Jeff Lambert. These people need to get off their butt and do something about this crazy lady. If these were children being raised in this sort of horrible abusing condition you can bet that CPS would have already stepped in and taken the kids away. I see no difference in animals being mistreated so why the hesitation in doing something about this? In fact these animals have just as much right to have someone take care of them as kids do.
I hope to God someone has the balls to shut this lunatic down as she should not have animals now or ever!!
Regards,
Grace Bruner
Houston, Texas
--Posted by: Grace Bruner at May 17, 2006 9:50 AM
This woman not only need everyone of these animals taken away from her, she needs to be put in jail for cruelty to animals, one count for every one of these poor defenseless animals. Who cares if she will be cheated out of making a living, think of all these babies that are cheated out of a life, all the people she has cheated out of a pet and their money. And all the "authorities" who are refusing to acknowledge that there is a problem here should be held as responsible as this poor excuse for a human.
--Posted by: Melissa Bradley at May 17, 2006 8:29 AM
This is a crime for animals to have to be raised and then die like this. There is an animal cruelty law in Texas and why is it not being enforced? Any county official who does not enforce the law is just as guilty as the person who is severly mistreating these dogs by improper care which includes poor feeding,filthy living conditions & no vet care even for the sick ones At the very least the dogs, all of them, should be removed from the owner. A simple inspection by a vet will confirm the health of these dogs and puppies. No animal should have to suffer just so the bad owner can make a dollar. What about the people who buy these pups maybe not realizing how sick they are? They are being blately cheated out of their money when the puppy dies or they have huge vet bills trying to save one. And not a lot of people can even afford the vet bills so the little dogs end up dying!!!!! If the lady doesn't admit to knowing the dogs are in pitiful shape then she has no business owning dogs or cats or any animal. THIS IS A CRIME!!!!!!
--Posted by: Sarah Wirt at May 17, 2006 7:53 AM
Reading this made me feel so sad and angry, how can this woman be allowed to get away with this.
People like her should be prosecuted and banned from ever owning animals again.
People like her make me sick.
Could you live in conditions like these dogs do?
If you couldnt, put a stop to the puppy mills so they dont have to ether.
End these poor dogs suffering,and give them a chance at the life they deserve.
--Posted by: sarah at May 17, 2006 6:40 AM
This is amazing. What kind of "investigator" is Dwayne Fuqua? The pile of garbage alone should be a dead give away. I do not live in Texas but I would hate to think this type of abuse is tolerated because someone "needs to make a living" it makes a person wonder what else is allowed in Comanche County to make a living. I do know that anyone who would treat animals this bad would have no hesitation when it came to humans. I certainly hope this person does not decide to sell babies.
--Posted by: Diana Smoot at May 17, 2006 1:42 AM
I have seen and cried over the pictures of these poor puppies. Would you let a child live like this? NO there would be swift action taken and it should also be for these animals. They are dependant on us for everything and to make them live in these condition are horrible. I think Dawyne needs to go live there for 48 hours and see if he can survive the fleas and filth, I doubt it. But he expects these poor animals to do so. Someone needs to take swift action to shut this puppy mill down and save the animals from a slow and painful death.
--Posted by: Brooke Welch at May 16, 2006 9:33 PM
I have seen some of the photos of those poor dogs/puppys.. and it broke my heart.. i was utterly sick over the death of the little Tiny Tim.. i hope you manage to get this horrible woman closed down.. and i pray that you find lovely homes for those poor dogs.. when you do.. i cannot understand how a sherrif can allow those dogs in her care.. did he not understand that these dogs where negleted badly.. has he no heart.. :(
--Posted by: susan Johnston at May 16, 2006 6:27 PM
I think it is totally reprehensible that Comanchee County can allow dogs to remain in these conditions and on the possesion of this woman!! These dogs and puppies were in deplorable condition,have you seen the video and pictures that were taken during the rescue and after care of these poor pups.
What is it going to take for your County to pay attention, all of the dogs this woman still owns dying??? Would anyone pay attention then??
If your investigator Dwayne Fuqua, really thinks these animals are well then I think someone needs to question his judgement as well.
--Posted by: Denise Traylor at May 16, 2006 6:10 PM
I have personally seen video and still photos taken at this puppymill. The conditions were simply deplorable! Filthy! Nasty! No living animal should be made to live in the filth that these poor dogs/puppies were in. The pups were in playpens filled with fecal/urine contaminated newspapers that filled the bottoms. Some had so much feces in them that the pups had no place to lay but in their own fecal material.
This woman claims that the dogs that she gave to us (ATDR and the Austin SPCA) were healthy! They were filled with intestional parasites that if not cared for would slowly and painfully kill the dogs/puppies. One such puppy did die from her neglect and/or abuse. His name was Tiny Tim. At 6 weeks of age he weighed just under ONE pound. Another one has such horribly infected anal glands that he was oozing pus and blood from his rectum when rescued. He is now receiving treatment and is slowly improving.
This woman is a monster!! For those of you that are pet owners/lovers you will know what I mean. She needs to be shut down! The Sheriff doesnt have enough guts to do anything about her so it is going to take going over his head, ppl like us calling/emailing them, and writing to them.
This is a serious situation that needs to be dealt with as soon as possible. Please if you find it in your heart, call the authorities and let them know your feelings on this woman! Someone has got to be the voice for the voiceless!
Janice Adams
Leander Texas
ATDR Member
--Posted by: Janice Adams at May 16, 2006 5:05 PM
