Nearly 100 Labradors were rescued from a ‘horrible’ Missouri breeder who crammed the gorgeous pups into tiny wire cages and left them without water.
A total of 97 dogs were saved by the Humane Society of Missouri from an unlicensed breeder, Sho-Me Labradors, in Phelps County on Tuesday.
Sandra Kozlowski, the owner of the breeding business, had more than 80 dogs removed from their care in 2020 and 2019 and has been placed on the ‘Horrible 100’ list by the US Humane Society, a ranking of the worst dog breeders in the US.
The rescue was coordinated by the Missouri Department of Agriculture and the Missouri Attorney General’s office.
‘Too many helpless animals in Missouri continue to suffer at the hands of repeat offenders like Sandra Kozlowski,” HSMO President Kathy Warnick told Fox 2 Now.
A total of 97 dogs were saved by the Human Society of Missouri from an unlicensed breeder, Sho-Me Labradors, in Phelps County on Tuesday
Sandra Kozlowski owns Sho-Me Labradors with her sons and has been in business since 1982
The rescued dogs are currently being triaged and will be available for adoption once their health has been determined and they are properly cared for
The Humane Society said that the adult dogs and puppies that were rescued ‘will need all the medical care and love that we can provide them.’
Sho-Me Labradors is a family-owned business known for its ‘top quality Labradors since 1982’ and is located in St. James, Missouri.
The breeder was last inspected in August. During that visit, dogs were found in the same disastrous state as officials found approximately 20 violations.
Kozlowski has also been cited frequently for refusing inspections of her breeding site that she runs with her sons.
According to the owner’s Facebook, her business recently celebrated its 40th anniversary in April as she said that Sho-Me Labradors breeds the ‘finest quality Labradors.’
On top of breeding, Kozlowski has also opened a resort for dogs called the Lakeside K-9 Camp and a dog grooming and supply store called The Dog Depot.
A mix of adult Labradors and puppies were found at the site as rescuers from the Humane Society of Missouri nurture the dogs
Kozlowski has also been cited frequently for refusing inspections of her breeding site and during an inspection in August, approximately 20 violations were found
‘I stay very busy with all three dog businesses, but I still love what I do. What I love the most is the expression of happiness a family has when they pick out a puppy to become their new family member,’ she said on her website.
The rescued dogs are currently being triaged and will be available for adoption once their health has been determined and they are properly cared for.
‘It’s a horrific situation, and these bad breeders who trap helpless animals in a cycle of abuse and neglect need to be shut down permanently,’ Warnick said.
‘Until then, HSMO will continue to exhaust our limited resources for repeated rescues. Thankfully, these dogs are safe now and will receive the care and rehabilitation they desperately need and deserve.’
The Animal Care Program, which is run by the Missouri Department of Agriculture, ‘regulates individuals and entities that enter dogs or cats into commerce as defined under state statute.’
Commercial breeders are subjected to an inspection once a year by animal care inspectors that are located throughout the state.
The 15 inspectors ‘carefully’ make routine inspections, address complaints, look into unlicensed facilities and educate others on the proper care of animals.
Owners of Sho-Me Labradors did not respond to a DailyMail.com request in time for this report.
