Sheriff seizes 44 dogs from Westmoreland kennel

They need to bust another puppy mill-

cutepuppiesareus.com is operated by Laura Ghazi and her husband at 115 Hawkins Rd. Westmoreland, TN

From the AKC website

"Notice
The AKC’s Management
Disciplinary Committee has suspended
Ms. Laura Ghazi, Westmoreland, TN,
from all AKC privileges for ten years,
effective September 10, 2007, and
imposed a $2000 fine for refusal to
make her dogs and records available
for inspection when requested.
(Multiple Breeds)"

Check out the link to these websites:

http://www.google.com/search ...

http://www.google.com/search ...

We bought a dog from Laura Ghazi and spent over $1,000 on vet bills. The dog had serious health issues as a result of neglect.

If you are a Laura Ghazi family member or friend you might want to inform them that all four network TV network affiliates and the Tennessean newspaper have been contacted in the last week regarding the Ghazi kennel. The cutepuppiesareus-Ghazi kennel will be under surveillance until a case can be made to shut them down.

I will spend the rest of my life if necessary to ensure that they are put out of the dog breeding business for good an no more dogs under their care are abused. They have lied to customers recently by telling them that their AKC papers were lost in a fire- Bullshit!!! They had their AKC registry revoked in September of 2007

They have lost their AKC license for 10 years and been fined $2,000. The Ghazi's refused to allow the AKC to inspect their dogs or their papers (it is a matter of public record). Does that sound like a reputable dog breeder?

Check this out:

http://www.topix.com/city/westmoreland-tn/200...

swine

Read messages 91-101

http://www.topix.com/forum/city/scottsville-k...

OK Laura Ghazi, let's cut to the chase. I know that you are reading these messages along with your accomplices so I am just going to spell it out for you- I work in the media and have contacts all over the country. I have contacted numerous agencies at the state and federal level. I have also spoken to ABC, CBS, ABC and FOX networks. I have friends at the Tennessean newspaper and the Nashville City Paper, New York Times and the Washington Post.
Losing your AKC privelges for 10 years with a $2,000 fine last September pales in comparison to the charges you could face by continuing to neglect your animals and lie to your customers about your Van burning up with all of your AKC papers.
One of your neighbors was busted April 8, 2008 for a puppy mill and it was all over the news. Care to guess who blew the whistle on them?
I spoke with Dr. Lori Purchis at the Macon County Tennessee Veterinary Clinic last week. At some point we may ask for depositions and need to subpoena your records.
You now pretend to be legit with your ACA registry. For those who want to pretend that the ACA is a reputable organization for dog breeders- read the following links:
http://www.nppmwatch.com/AKC.html
http://www.mainlinerescue.com/advocacy/puppy -...
Excerpt-
"And for those breeders who have had their registration privileges suspended by the AKC, then they can always register their dogs with the ACA. The American Canine Association issues "papers" for dogs bred by several breeders who are actually posted on Pet-Abuse.com , a national registry listing people convicted of abusing animals or violating the Animal Welfare Act. "Papers" increase the asking price of a dog by $300-$500 and this registry helps many breeders barred from the AKC sell their puppies to consumers who mistakenly think that papers, any papers, mean that they are buying a puppy free of disease and without behavioral or genetic problems. Unfortunately, this is not often the case."
If I were you, I would shut down your kennel and get yourself a good attorney. You obviously have no idea what you are up against. That is not intended to be a threat- just advice. Of course, if you have nothing to hide then you have nothing to worry about- right?

TENN. CODE ANN.§§ 39-14-201 et seq.--
Definition of Animal: A domesticated living creature or a wild creature previously captured.

Statute Summary: A person commits the crime of cruelty to animals if the person:

Intentionally or knowingly tortures, maims, grossly overworks, fails to provide necessary food, water, care or shelter for an animal, abandons, transports in a cruel manner, inflicts burns, cuts, lacerations, or other injuries or pain to any animal by any method.

Cruelty to animals.
Class A Misdemeanor.

Fine up to $2500.

11 months, 29 days to 30 years imprisonment.

Intentional killing of animals.

Classification of crime defined in statute (ranges from Class A Misdemeanor to Class B Misdemeanor.).

$2500 to $25,000 fine.

Imprisonment up to 11 months, 29 days.

Forfeiture of Animal/Seizure: Both

Other Sentencing Provisions: Cost of care, limited future animal ownership.

All 50 states under the Federal Animal Welfare Act have basic animal cruelty and neglect laws in effect, with 43 containing felony charges for aggravated acts of cruelty. There are many laws involving animal cruelty, such as those involving the elimination of puppy mills, animal fighting, pet lemons, dangerous dogs, and neglect cases. There are also laws that mandate the spaying and neutering of all shelter animals to reduce overpopulation and puppy mills. Cross-reporting laws allow social services to investigate domestic violence and child abuse when residents are suspected of animal cruelty.

Statistics show that the people that are capable of committing animal cruelty are often also guilty of abuse toward human beings.

The ASPCA provides training to law enforcement officers when requested. Though there are good laws in place, laws can only be enforced if people step up and report suspicious behavior to animal control. To get more involved with the ASPCA and the fight against animal cruelty, join the advocacy brigade at www.aspca.org by clicking on the “Lobby for Animals” link. Upon joining, you will receive emails and be able to track animal legislations on your state. You can also find the guidelines and all state laws through the ASPCA website.

Read this very carefully Mr and Mrs. Ghazi. Mr. Ghazi threatened one of our team members recently.
You reap what you sow.

39-14-210 Societies for prevention of cruelty to animals -- Powers.
(a) The agents of any society which is incorporated for the prevention of cruelty to animals, upon being appointed thereto by the president of such society in any county, may, within such county, make arrests, and bring before any court thereof offenders found violating the provisions of this part with regard to non-livestock animals.

(b) Any officers, agents, or members of such society may lawfully interfere to prevent the perpetration of any act of cruelty upon any animal in such person's presence. Any person who interferes with or obstructs any such officer, agent, or member in the discharge of this duty commits a Class C misdemeanor.

(c) Any agent or officer of such society may lawfully destroy, or cause to be destroyed, any animal found abandoned or otherwise:
(1) Which is not properly cared for, appearing, in the judgment of two (2) reputable citizens, who are experts, called to view the same in the agent's or officer's presence, to be glandered, injured or diseased past humane recovery; or
(2) After a holding period of not less than seventy-two (72) hours and after having made a reasonable effort to locate and notify the owners, for the purpose of animal population control.

(d) All fines, penalties and forfeitures imposed and collected in any county, under provisions relating to or in any way affecting animals, shall inure to such society in aid of the purpose for which it was incorporated, and no injunction shall be granted against such society or attorney or its officers or agents, except upon motion, after due notice and hearing.

(e) Any humane society chartered by the state, into whose custody shall lawfully come any animal, shall have a lien on that animal for the reasonable value of the goods and services necessarily rendered by, or at the instance of, the society to that animal.

(f) Custody of any animal victimized under this part shall be placed with any humane society chartered by the state immediately upon arrest of the person alleged to have violated this part. The humane society shall assist the animal and preserve evidence for prosecution.

Attn: Mr. and Mrs Ghazi- cutepuppiesareus.com

TENNESSEE
S. 1810 – Animal Cruelty
This bill created a felony level penalty for the most egregious acts of animal cruelty to a companion animal on a second offense. It is subject to a person who commits aggravated cruelty to animals when, with no justifiable purpose, such person intentionally kills or intentionally causes serious physical injury to a companion animal with aggravated cruelty. This bill includes provisions allowing the court to order psychological counseling, determine when, if ever the individual will be allowed to have custody of other animals, and if the household has any minors or elderly the court may within 15 days send notification of the conviction to the appropriate protective agencies.
Signed into law on 7/15/02
S.B. 2929 - Puppy mill bill
Takes money from the Spay/Neuter license plate to fund other animal facilities under the State Department of Agriculture. This money will go toward the inspection of puppy mill facilities.
Signed into law on 5/22/02

There's More

Tennessee Statute 39-14-207 Feeding of impounded animals -- Care provided by humane society -- Recovery of expenses.
(a) In case any impounded animal is without necessary food and water for more than twelve (12) successive hours, it is lawful for any person, as often as necessary, to enter any place in which any animal is so confined, and to supply it with necessary food and water so long as it shall remain so confined. Such person shall not be liable to any action for such entry, and the reasonable cost of such food and water may be collected from the owner or keeper of the animal. The animal shall not be exempt from levy and sale upon execution issued upon a judgment therefor.

(b) In case any animal is injured, diseased, suffering from the elements, or malnourished, and is found at large by any agent of any humane society chartered by the state, the agent may cause adequate veterinary treatment or shelter or nourishment to be furnished to the animal. The society shall have a right of action against the owner of the animal for all necessary and reasonable expenses so incurred. Within forty-eight (48) hours after taking custody of the animal, the society shall make reasonable efforts to notify the owner of the animal's whereabouts and condition. Nothing in this subsection shall affect the right of action of the veterinarian or furnisher of goods or services against the person or persons with whom he contracted for payment of charges. Any such right of action by a humane society may be voided by an owner who elects to forfeit the animal to the society rather than pay for the goods or services rendered.

Laura Ghazi and her husband have sold some of my friends some very sick puppies that required expensive medical care. They have no business owning or breeding dogs. Our dog was absolutely filthy with an illness that could have proved fatal if not treated.

TN. 39-14-210

g) Any governmental animal control agency or any humane society, chartered by this state, into whose custody any animal victimized under this part is placed, may petition the court requesting that the person from whom the animal is seized, or the owner of the seized animal, be ordered to post security. However, if the court determines that a person from whom the posting of security has been requested is indigent pursuant to title 40, chapter 14, part 2, the court may suspend the posting of any security pending the disposition of the criminal charges. Any such security shall be in an amount sufficient to secure payment of all reasonable expenses expected to be incurred by the governmental animal control agency or the humane society in caring and providing for the animal pending disposition of the criminal charges. Reasonable expenses include, but are not necessarily limited to, the estimated costs of veterinary care and treatment for the animal as well as the estimated costs of boarding and otherwise caring for the animal. The amount of security shall be determined by the court after taking into consideration all of the facts and circumstances of the case. If the posting of security is ordered pursuant to this subsection (g), then the governmental animal control agency or the humane society may draw from the security the actual costs incurred in caring and providing for the seized animal pending disposition of criminal charges. If the person from whom the animal is seized is the owner of the animal and such person has not posted the security ordered pursuant to this subsection within fifteen (15) business days following the issuance of a security order, the animal shall be deemed to have been abandoned and shall be forfeited to the governmental animal control agency or humane society for disposition in accordance with reasonable practices for the humane treatment of animals. However, if the person from whom the animal was seized is not the owner of the animal and such person has not posted the court-ordered security within fifteen (15) days, the court shall order the governmental animal control agency or the humane society to make all reasonable efforts to determine who the owner of the animal is and to notify such owner of the pending proceeding. No animal shall be deemed to have been abandoned and forfeited to the governmental animal control agency or humane society until reasonable attempts to determine and notify the owner have been made. If the owner of the animal cannot be located after reasonable efforts or the owner is located and notified but does not post, within ten (10) business days, the court-ordered security plus the costs reasonably incurred by the governmental animal control agency or humane society for housing and caring for the animal since its seizure, the animal shall be deemed to have been abandoned and shall be forfeited to the governmental animal control agency or humane society for disposition in accordance with reasonable practices for the humane treatment of animals. Nothing in this subsection (g) shall be construed to prevent the voluntary, permanent relinquishment of any animal by its owner to a governmental animal control agency or to a humane society, chartered by the state, in lieu of posting security. Any such voluntary relinquishment has no effect on the outcome of the criminal charges.

There are also many laws that address vets that are complicit in the puppy mill industry. Tennessee has it's share of veterinarians that will "look the other way" for compensation. It's not just Tennessee either.

Please help the thousands and thousands of helpless dogs that suffer in silence every day. If only they could talk they would speak of the unspeakable horrors they have to endure on a daily basis so that lazy good for nothing puppy mills can make a buck from the pain and suffering of our precious pets.

Contact your local chapter of the Humane Society or the AKC and ask how you can help.

From the AKC website

"Notice
The AKC’s Management
Disciplinary Committee has suspended
Ms. Laura Ghazi, Westmoreland, TN,
from all AKC privileges for ten years,
effective September 10, 2007, and
imposed a $2000 fine for refusal to
make her dogs and records available
for inspection when requested.
(Multiple Breeds)"

More on cutepuppiesareus

http://www.google.com/search...

Do not buy any puppies advertised in The Tennessean newspaper or any other newspaper if the seller has a phone number two,one,eight-nine, zero, nine,six (area code 615) That is Laura Ghazi and cutepuppiesareus. They are currently advertising Cavachons and Shih-Chons. It's amazing how you can breed Cavliers And Shih Tzus with Bichons and get what appears to be a designer dog called a Cavachon or a Shih Chon. If you do call ask them why they are not registered with the AKC- the only reputable dog registry recognized by good breeders.

Any reputable breeder will let you see the living conditions of their dogs. The Ghazis at cutepuppiesareus.com in Westmoreland, TN forfeited their AKC license for 10 years and were fined rather than show the AKC their dogs or allow them access to their breeder papers. Would you buy a puppy from these people?

yep and have

YOU SAY :If you do call ask them why they are not registered with the AKC- the only reputable dog registry recognized by good breeders.
NOt true at all..UKC is a good registry as is the Candian Kennel club and AKC
There are SEVERAL very good reputable registries.

Nonie- let me clarify- The UKC and the Canadian Kennel Club are not U. S. Registries and yes- they are good. Any decent U.S. Breeder will have AKC Certification like I have already said about 20 times. If not- they cannot be trusted-period!!! The Ghazi's had their AKC registration revoked to 10 years and fined $2,000 because they refused to allow the AKC access to their dogs OR their papers BECAUSE THEY KNEW THEY WOULD BE CHARGED WITH NEGLECT OR WORSE!

What in the hell is wrong with you Ghazi defenders. At least find someone who knows what they are talking about and not just denying every proven accusation that is thrown their way.

AKC registration is the gold standard and the only dog registry that requires DNA testing to prove proper blood lines. She was claiming AKC affiliation until she removed that statement from her website TODAY after being accused of fraud-and rightly so! How dare she claim AKC registration almost 8 months after she had her AKC privileges revoked for 10 years and fined $2,000 for refusing to allow the AKC access to her dogs and her records!

The registries that she uses are used by puppy mills to give the appearance of legitimacy. Nothing could be further from the truth.

FIC is a business in Alabama, it is not the Federation Cynologique Internationale (FCI) but the Federation International Canines. Although their logos and initials are identical in content they are not related what so ever! The papers issued by the FIC are very official looking and easily confused with the real FCI documents. Again, you need nothing to "register" your dog with them, except a credit card. FIC registration papers are NOT recognized by the AKC or any other foreign registry.

In Louisiana there is a dog registry called the CKC, it is not the Canadian Kennel Club but the Continental Kennel Club. Although their website and "papers" are very pretty they are not a recognized by the AKC or other foreign registries. If you would like to register your dog with them you need NO documentation except a couple pictures and a witness. No birth certificate, No proof of parentage. They even so much as have a "standard" which states the "Neapolitan Mastiffs muzzle should taper" - a dobermans muzzle should taper, a Neapolitan Mastiffs muzzle should be square. How ridiculous would a Neo look with a muzzle that tapers!

ACA (american canine association)- was founded by local breeders that could not register with AKC. AKC is the best in America. The reason for people, breeders specifically, use bogus registries is because you do not have to prove parentage, so basically, you can take your pomeranian/chihuahua/mix and register it through them as a purebred anything you want it to be. They'll take your word for it. They do this because they do not have to do DNA testing or show records for the breed. No telling what their bloodlines really are. You will not find a better registry in America than AKC (american kennel club). ACA is not safe breeding for people that want their beloved pets to live the longest life possible. I speak from experience.