UNION COUNTY, N.C. -- Eyewitness News cameras' were the only ones there two weeks ago for a dramatic raid where hundreds of dogs were found in allegedly unsafe conditions on the property of Delores Perez.

Her breeding business was never inspected by anyone.

With 250 dogs seized, rescued - some say - from allegedly unhealthy conditions at her Union County breeding kennel, some animal advocates are now looking beyond the horrible images.

Ann Isenhour, with the Gaston County Animal League is one of many asking why kennels like Delores Perez' are even allowed to do business.

"Nobody checks in on these people. No. Something needs to be done and it really needs to be statewide," Isenhour said.

Eyewitness News took its investigation and pictures of the conditions found on the property of Perez to Raleigh and the state legislature.

Lawmakers were not only shocked by what they saw, but some were ready to take action to keep it from happening again.

State Sen. Fern Shubert, whose district includes the Perez property, could only shake her head as she watched the reports on conditions there. She can't believe that no state agency ever inspected it.

"What surprised me ... and I didn't know it until you told me, is that there is no inspection if they don't sell to a commercial facility," Shubert said.

North Carolina's Animal Welfare Act does require licenses for breeders who sell to pet shops.

But officials at North Carolina's Department of Agriculture say since Delores Perez sold her dogs only to individuals, she is exempt from state licensing.

"A lot of people are saying how could this happen? How could there be a system in place where nobody checks on a person like delores perez," asked Eyewitness News reporter Jim Bradley?

"It's a valid question," said Deputy Commissioner Mike Blanton.

But, Blanton isn't convinced the state is the answer.

"I feel like it would be much more effective at the county level ... working with county law enforcement," Blanton said.

But Senator Shubert isn't ready to pass the buck.

She's pushing for changes in North Carolina law and is trying to get them added onto an animal cruelty bill that's now being considered by the legislature.

"There should be an inspection required. What difference does it make whether you sell to individuals or a pet store," Shubert asked?

"I think what we need to say is ... if you are raising dogs commercially, regardless of who you're selling them to, there needs to be some oversight," she added.

Shubert says she's getting some support from other legislators for her proposal to require inspections for large breeding kennels. Perez has been in this situation before.

She was convicted of animal cruelty 10 years ago, but when she appealed, the district attorney's office dismissed the charges. Eyewitness News checked the courthouse paperwork, but found nothing to indicate a reason for why the charges were dismissed.

Eyewitness News asked repeatedly to talk with Union County's District Attorney, Ken Honeycutt, who was in the district attorney's office at the time.

He refused comment.