Local

Charlotte Humane Society takes 76 dogs from suspected puppy mill

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Dozens of rescued dogs from an suspected puppy mill in Edgefield County, S.C., arrived in Charlotte on Friday night.

The Humane Society of Charlotte drove to South Carolina to pick up the 76 dogs.

"Some of these dogs are in fairly good health. Some of them will need to go to a foster homes due to being too young or needing medical attention," said Jorge Ortega, the vice president of operations for the Humane Society of Charlotte

The organization spent between $7,000 and $10,000 to pick the 76 dogs up from South Carolina. They were among 250 animals rescued Sept. 11 from the suspected puppy mill in Edgefield County.

"Unfortunately there's a lot of puppy mills in North Carolina popping up," Ortega said.

Officials with the Humane Society of Charlotte have helped with three large rescues this year. They said one reason the area is seeing so many rescues is because of a lack of state laws regulating puppy mills.

The group said it was working to change that and keep the public informed.

"We're working with national organizations on spreading information to the community and letting them know what is a puppy mill," Oretega said.

The Humane Society of Charlotte will open its doors at 11 a.m. Saturday to start adopting out the dogs.