Animal advocates are keeping watch over three little puppies and their mother, after they said the mother was used for only breeding and was so improperly cared for she was emaciated.
A four-week-old American Bulldog puppy whimpered inside Imperial Point Animal Hospital in Oakland Park where it was receiving a life-saving blood transfusion.
Animal advocates rescued three tick-infested puppies after they were allegedly bought from a breeder in Miami.
"It's so sad that someone is trying to make a profit at the expense of these little puppies that are obviously horribly neglected," said Veterinarian Darby Peterson.
Amy Roman runs an animal rescue group called 100+ Abandoned Dogs of Everglades Florida. She picked up the puppies from the person who bought them on Craigslist Sunday, hoping to save them.
"These dogs are being used for profit. They're four-weeks-old that were sold for $120 to someone who wanted to save their lives so they wouldn't wind up in the wrong hands," Roman said.
The dogs were being constantly brushed for ticks and then will be treated for worms.
Local
State law prohibits dogs to be sold so young. The minimum age is eight-weeks-old, and these puppies are half that.
Roman said animal control officers have been called to investigate the breeder who has not yet been identified.
"Sadly, it sounds like this isn't their first litter of puppies, not even close. I can't imagine they have a good survival rate but it's just a horrible crime," Roman said.
The crew worries there are another handful of dogs still with the breeder being mistreated.
Roman and her animal rescue group are asking for donations and help fostering and eventually adopting these puppies. For more information on the organization, click here.
For information on making a donation, click here.
