Indiana Man Faces Nearly 100 Charges For Alleged Puppy Mill
(CBS) -- Dozens of animal-neglect charges were lodged Thursday, and an arrest warrant was issued for the man accused of running a puppy mill operation near Crown Point, Indiana.
More than a month has passed since a neighbor's complaint led police and animal welfare workers to a small building on the 5900 block of 125th Avenue in Center Township.
They seized 68 dogs and puppies, three goats and a miniature horse.
In addition to the 72 animal neglect counts, 36-year-old Stevce Rajcinoski also faces 11 counts of animal mutilation, 11 counts of practicing veterinary medicine without a license and one count of failure to register as a commercial breeder.
Two GoFundMe accounts have raised $12,600 toward care for the animals, which will remain at the Lake County Animal Control and Adoption Center until they are healthy enough to be adopted.
The shelter last month advised on its Facebook page that adoptions would be limited to those who live within 50 miles of the Crown Point shelter, because of the ongoing criminal investigation. The rescue and ongoing care have placed a heavy burden on the shelter, which is estimating veterinary bills averaging more than $200 per animal.
It continues to seek donations of food, towels, blankets and cleaning supplies.