Clark County suspends kennel license after dead dogs found in freezers

LAS VEGAS, Nev. (FOX5) – Clark County has suspended the business license of a Valley kennel after animal control officers found several animals living in filthy conditions.

It gets worse – evidence shows officers even recovered the bodies of two dogs from a pair of freezers. Vets say both died from neglect or abuse.

FOX5 Investigates obtained photos from an animal control raid at A VIP Kennel at Warm Springs and I-15 last August only after filing a Freedom of Information Act request.

Photos show dogs in pens with doors so dirty it’s hard to see inside. They also show several puppies in an enclosed area surrounded by feces and urine, and a number of unclean refrigerators containing pet medication and perishable food.

We won’t show you pictures of the most startling find: Officers pulled a three-year-old French bulldog and a Chow of about the same age from a pair of freezers.

Reports indicate that both dogs belonged to kennel owner Kurt Williams. The same vet’s reports show the bulldog died from symptoms of heatstroke. A hairball the size of a tennis ball resulted in Chow’s ultimate demise.

The kennel remains open for business because owner Williams has not been convicted of any crime.

Williams declined to speak to FOX5 Investigates’ Andryanna Sheppard about the case. It remains under investigation.

We learned that Clark County suspended the kennel’s business license just days after FOX5 inquired about its status. However, that doesn’t mean it has to close. The kennel can remain open until the county revokes its license — and it’s unclear how long the review process could take.

Williams has court dates coming up — and we’ll be following the proceedings.

Now, we realize this story comes at a time of year when many pet parents plan to travel for the holidays. So we’ve come up with some tips to keep your dog or cat safe, healthy and happy during your time away.

“We’ve had him for about two weeks, he’s a miniature pinscher and he loves coming to the dog park and playing with other dogs, he runs around, he’s got a lot of energy so we love taking him here. It’s very close to where we live.”

Michael Batogower and Leal Silverstone haven’t had little Babka for a very long time. They were hoping to bring their new fur baby home to Florida to meet their family for Thanksgiving, but Batgower tells us that won’t work.

“He’s not old enough, so now we’re trying to figure out how to catch him if we go on Thanksgiving, where are our options.”

Boarding isn’t an option for a pup as small as Babka, but it’s a good choice for many families who can’t take their pets on their travels.

The veterinarian from Valea, Dr. David Espinoza urges you to do your homework — check websites, look for reviews and get recommendations from friends and neighbors.

“A lot of times you should call ahead, talk to the person in front, go over the guidelines and requirements, and it’s always a good idea to go to the vet and go over specific questions and details beforehand. boarding schedule.”

And Espinosa urges you to see for yourself where your dog or cat will stay. You can even try a test drive.

“It’s always a good idea before you go in there to meet the people behind the scenes, give a presentation, even sometimes you can do a kind of exposure at the kindergarten, bring them for a day, see how they like it , and that’s always a good idea before going in.”

Dr. Espinoza says your pet’s health should come first to you and for those who care for them.

“In a kennel, it’s very important to rule out infectious disease, exposure and generally their quality of life, and so important things I look for in a boarding facility is how up-to-date they are on their protocols vaccination, faecal monitoring. , things to make sure they don’t go there and take things to bring home.”

The American Kennel Club urges you to find out if a kennel has scheduled feeding and play times — if they choose playgroups based on breed size — and if they offer training for younger puppies.

The doctor warns not to forget that older dogs need special care, especially when it comes to prescriptions.

“And so you absolutely want trained staff to be able to handle these kinds of medications and make sure their pet is taken care of,” Espinosa says.

For pet parents prone to worry – he recommends an increasingly common feature.

“With today’s technology, it’s kind of the gold standard in terms of boarding is to be able to watch them through cameras, videos, and just get feedback on how they’re doing, how they’re feeling, and even if they’re eating on time.”

As for our new friend Bobka, he will be spending his first Thanksgiving here at home in the Valley.

“He is so young that we don’t want to put him under someone else’s care. We just got him, he’s not potty-ready, so it’s difficult to tell someone you have to take him out every hour on the hour,” says Silverstone.

While other families in the Valley can rest easy knowing their furry members are receiving proper care.

The AKC recommends packing a few items for your pet. pet, including a favorite toy, blanket, food and a piece of your clothing. recently warned. Dogs find the scent comforting.

If your pet looks tired from playtime when you pick them up, they’ve had a good stay.

More positive signs – they appear to be bonded to a caretaker, have no bruises or scratches, and their paws are clean and free of dirt or feces.

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