Warning: the following may be upsetting – it sure upset me, which is why I had to post this here. The owner, Richard Swafford, has been notorious in the border collie world for a long time. Claiming to be a ‘rescue’ he’s a full-fledged puppy mill. He also claimed to sell registered, working border collies, yet the American Border Collie Association expelled him from their registry some time ago. In the rescue world I’d heard his name come up many times over the years. It’s heartbreaking that it took so long for the authorities to shut down this concentration camp for border collies.
From this press release:
“The Humane Society of the United States worked in conjunction with the Sumner County Sheriff’s Department to remove 108 border collies from squalid conditions at an alleged puppy mill in Portland, Tenn.”
The HSUS was called in by the Sumner County Sheriff’s Department to handle the removal, transport and placement of the animals and to help gather evidence. The Sheriff’s Department, worked with several law enforcement officials over the past year to investigate claims of inhumane conditions at All Around Border Collies made by current and former facility employees. The property owner breeds dogs for sale and runs Border Collie Rescue of Middle Tennessee. According to his Web site, the property owner takes in rescued border collies. But many of the dogs on the property were those the owner had bred and made available for sale on the Internet.
The dogs were housed in a dark, vermin-infested barn and filthy outdoor pens. Border collies are natural herding dogs, and require extensive exercise to maintain a healthy temperament and physique. Lack of exercise and socialization is especially devastating to this breed. It is possible that many of these neglected animals had never known life outside their cramped enclosures.
The property owner surrendered 68 of the dogs who The HSUS will transport to rescue groups and humane societies throughout the region, where they will be made available for adoption. The sheriff’s department seized another 40 who will be housed with local organizations pending a possible criminal investigation.
After Jan. 1, 2010, the recently passed Tennessee Commercial Breeder Act will require mass breeding facilities with more than 20 unaltered females to be licensed and meet humane standards of care.”
For a short video and news report of the bust, follow this link.
I’ve written in the past about the horrors of puppy mills and why it is so important to buy a dog directly from a breeder and visit the place where the puppy was born and raised so you know what your dollars are supporting. Swafford actually claimed to be running a rescue! No rescue sells dogs over the internet. No rescue sells pregnant bitches. Nor do they breed and sell puppies, or ship whole litters of puppies out to dealers. No caring breeder of dogs will sell through the internet or through a store. Anyone who needs a front such as a store or middle-man to sell their dogs and puppies, horrible conditions like those described above, and those depicted below, is likely what they are trying to hide.
Among the many rescue groups that have stepped up to the plate to take in these dogs, Glenhighland Farm has taken eight and they have just arrived at the farm. They will likely require extensive time and care in rescue to learn how to be border collies, something GHF excels at doing. To follow their story (or if you wish to make a contribution to their care), follow this link.
Filed under: Rescue
Makes me sick to see such abuse of those poor dogs. I hope they hang the son of a bitch for such cruelty.
It is so hard to understand that any human would treat a poor animal like this. I guess I could call myslef a rescue, I pick up strays and get them fixed and shots and a wrm bed and food. So for me to see that this man called himself a rescue puts shame on all the folks that work so darn hard, that doesnt get to go on vactions, or the beach since were the folks that pik up the dirty mess they leave. Shame on this man and as far as I am concerned he should be in jail for manymany years…
I purchased 3 merle pups in July ’09 from Richard and became suspicious and concerned when he put them on a 4 day truck route to me at 5 weeks of age. Somehow I knew then I was rescuing them from him! I still have 2 as pets and I’m just grateful to have saved them from another day in his ‘care’. They are wonderful dogs! I pray for the rest of those dogs and feel a special concern for the supposed father of my dogs named Blue Chip. (a good resemblance) Any information on this dog would be appreciated. (reach me through http://www.clemencephotography.com)
Hi Susan, how horrible that he shipped puppies at 5 weeks of age! My goodness that’s awful. I just did an internet search and am shocked to see that his website is still up and running! He has 22 males listed as breeding dogs, and almost as many females. This is insane. A responsible breeder will produce no more than one litter a year (ideally less) and only have as many dogs as they can properly work and train. For most serious handlers that I know, that number is about 6-8 dogs total. This guy was clearly a factory! It’s disgusting that he was able to get away with this for as long as he did. Those poor dogs.
Your puppies’ sire is listed on that website. I have no idea where he is now, but you might want to contact some of the groups that took in the dogs from there to see if any of them know. The only place I am aware of is Glen Highland Farm, but they might be able to direct you if you send then an email.
Best of luck trying to track him down, and good luck also with your pups. You certainly must have your hands full with raising two pups at a time! Did you place the third? May they have a long and happy life with you.
I bought three dogs from him. One came to me with a bite on her paw that was badly infected, my other female that I got from him is still extremely timid and the only one that doesn’t show his past is my male, and that’s only because I got him as a puppy. I hate that I didn’t do all of my research before I bought them but I’m still happy they’re with me instead of with him.
I am horrifically offended by the author’s use of the term “concentration camp” to describe the puppy farm.
Yes, the conditions for these poor dogs were terrible, and it is quite wonderous that help is on the way for them. It does not, however, hold a candle to the horror that was the systematic, government-backed genoice of WW2 that saw millions march to their deaths. Those that weren’t killed immediately were forced into starvation and slave labor and were literally worked to death.
I understand that you are horrified. Next time please use a more appropriate adjectival phrase.
Rebecca – I regret that I have offended you. I would like to point out, however, that the term ‘concentration camp’ does not exclusively refer to the horrors inflicted against the Jews, Russians, Romani and others during WWII. Concentrations camps were first created (in terms of being labeled as such) in the 1800′s and have been used around the world ever since. They are generally defined as:
1. “A camp where civilians, enemy aliens, political prisoners, and sometimes prisoners of war are detained and confined, typically under harsh conditions.”
2. “A place or situation characterized by extremely harsh conditions.”
For a list of countries that have used concentration, please see the following link:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_concentration_and_internment_camps