Horry County police investigate puppy mill complaint, seize 19 dogs

Horry County police seized 19 dogs Tuesday morning after investigating a complaint about a possible puppy mill, according to authorities.

Police received a complaint about a possible puppy mill around 8:15 a.m. Tuesday at 3444 Rosario Place in the Loris area, said Lt. Raul Denis.

Officers found the resident was not running a puppy mill but did have more animals than she could properly care for, Denis said.

Janie Waddel, 72, agreed to release 19 of her 37 dogs to police. The dogs were taken to the Animal Care Center where they were evaluated and found to be worm-free and healthy, Denis said.

Waddel was cited for violating the county animal care and treatment ordinance, the litter accumulation ordinance and the rabies ordinance, Denis said. She was cited a total of $1,850 for those violations.

Waddel is scheduled to appear in court on the charges at the Loris Magistrate’s Office on April 21, Denis said.

Earlier this month, police seized 37 dogs, including some show dogs and one that was recognized at the Westminster Kennel Club, from a Conway couple. Eduardo and Amber Chaviano were ordered to pay $3,160 in restitution to the Horry County Animal Care Center and clean up their home within 30 days.

Police shut down a puppy mill and seized 146 dogs from a Conway woman on March 5. Renee James, 49, was ordered to a $445 citation after the 146 dogs were taken to the Animal Care Center and adopted out after a James filed a restraining order against the county.

James owns Pet Safari pet store in Conway.

About 60 animal advocates gathered Saturday outside the Grand Strand Humane Society to hear from Sens. Luke Rankin, R-Myrtle Beach, and Greg Hembree, R-North Myrtle Beach, about legislators’ plans for new animal protection policies.

Hembree said he is crafting a bill that, if approved, would create regulations aimed at preventing puppy mills.

In recent years, lawmakers have strengthened some animal policies. For example, they increased penalties for animal cruelty convictions. Another bill that’s been introduced would outlaw the use of gas chambers for animal euthanasia.

This story was originally published April 1, 2015 at 9:15 AM with the headline "Horry County police investigate puppy mill complaint, seize 19 dogs."