‘Horrible Hundred’ Report Includes Puppy Mill In North Carolina

NORTH CAROLINA — North Carolina earned a notorious mention on the “Horrible Hundred” list of 100 problem puppy mills and puppy brokers released Monday by the Humane Society of the United States. The report, released every May, details the often-filthy, unhealthy conditions dogs and their offspring are kept in at high-volume breeding operations.

Missouri had the highest number of problem puppy mills for the eighth consecutive year, with 30 noted on the list, followed by Ohio with nine, Kansas and Wisconsin with eight each, Georgia with seven and Pennsylvania with six. North Carolina had one breader mentioned on the list.

The Humane Society said puppy mills sell to pet stores across the country and through their websites, which means puppies from breeders could end up anywhere in the United States.

This year, the Humane Society’s Horrible Hundred report includes the full list of kennel names and license numbers. Since 2017, some kennel names have been unavailable and were available only by city and state. However, Congress required the U.S. Department of Agriculture, which licenses and regulates puppy breeding facilities, to restore unredacted inspection reports to its online database beginning in February 2020.

In North Carolina, AKC Rhodesian ridgeback breeder Amanda Gouge of Granite Falls, North Carolina was cited on the list.

According to the report, more than 30 dogs were seized from Gouge, who operated the business called "Ellie May's African Beauties," including an emaciated mother gave birth to seven puppies. Four of the puppies died and the remaining were sick. "When authorities arrived, they found dozens of dogs — many of whom were severely underweight and riddled with parasites — on the property," the report said. "The animals were removed, and Gouge was charged with animal cruelty for the condition of the animals."

Gouge, who says she was nicknamed Ellie May at a young age because of her animal rescue efforts, said she had documentation that the dogs were in the process of receiving treatment when they were seized. "I'm not really sure what I'm allowed to say because it's an ongoing case," Gouge told Patch. "I'm innocent and it's an ongoing investigation."

In its review of inspection reports for puppy mills nationwide, the Humane Society said its researchers uncovered citations for injured and emaciated dogs, dogs and puppies exposed to extreme cold or heat without adequate housing, and dogs living in such filthy conditions their fur was matted with their own waste.

Some breeders admitted to shooting dogs and puppies they no longer wanted, the report said.

The coronavirus pandemic increases the peril for dogs in problem puppy mills because many inspection programs have been put on hold and “dogs rely more than ever on the public to vote with their dollar,” John Goodwin, who heads the Humane Society’s Stop Puppy Mills campaign, said in a news release.

“Dog lovers can help by refusing to buy a puppy or any supplies from pet stores that sell puppies,” Goodwin said. “In addition, it’s critical for pet lovers everywhere to contact their public officials and let them know they support stronger laws and enforcement.”

Instead of buying a dog from a breeder or pet store, the Humane Society suggests adopting a pet from a shelter or rescue organization. In the Charlotte metro and Lake Norman region, options include:

• Humane Society of Charlotte, 2700 Toomey Ave., Charlotte
• Charlotte-Mecklenburg Animal Care & Control, 8315 Byrum Drive, Charlotte
• North Meck Animal Rescue
• Piedmont Animal Rescue, 228 E. Waterlynn Road, Mooresville
• Lake Norman Human, 2106 Charlotte Hwy., Mooresville