ROGERS — All 50 miniature poodles taken during a marijuana raid near Centerton on Thursday are expected to be adopted into new homes.
Clayton Morgan, director of the Humane Society for Animals in Rogers, said 18 of the 50 dogs had been adopted as of Friday afternoon.
Society staff members fielded about 60 phone calls about adopting the dogs after news reports of the drug raid and discovery of the poodles.
The poodles were found in a single-wide mobile home at 13975 Shady Acres Road west of Centerton on Thursday. Six marijuana plants and three loaded guns were also found, authorities said.
Benton County deputies arrested Michael Dopp, 29, and Stanley Largent, 53, on three charges. Largent was released Thursday to care for his disabled wife. Dopp was in the Benton County Jail on Friday in lieu of a $10,000 bond.
Largent released the poodles into county custody Thursday. The dogs were taken by Animal Control Deputy John Newell to the Humane Society.
On Thursday, Newell described the situation as a breeding operation, or puppy mill.
Morgan said Friday the dogs are in good health but suffer from neglect.
Many of the dogs had long, matted hair that contained feces. Miniature poodles do not shed so regular grooming is necessary.
Some dogs had paw nails that were too long. Lengthy nails were cut.
Each dog was vaccinated and dewormed at the Humane Society on Thursday. Then they were transported in groups to the Groom Room, 809 N. Second St., in Rogers.
Owner Dena Klenc and staff groomed the poodles for free Friday, donating the shampoo, equipment and time to coif each pooch.
Klenc said some of the dogs had minor flea infestations. A few appeared thin, she said.
Groomer Devin Brown ran clippers across the back of a pint-sized poodle. Hair fell like a boot camp inductee getting a buzz cut.
“The hair is so matted we have to cut it real close to the body, then we leave it around the face. We try to give them as much of a poodle look to make them attractive to adopters,” Brown said.
Some of the dogs shivered while being trimmed.
“They’re nervous. They’ve been taken out of everything they know, but they’re doing very well. There’s been no biting or nipping,” Klenc said.
Klenc and Morgan both confirmed the dogs are well-behaved and used to human contact.
Morgan expects each poodle to be adopted because the dogs are small, cute and don’t shed.
Their no-shed coats quickly become shaggy and unhealthy, bringing an added cost of ownership, Morgan said.
“People can expect to pay about $40 three or four times a year to get the dogs groomed. Some people get them groomed every month,” Morgan said.
Miniature poodles aren’t for everyone, he said. They aren’t recommended for families with small children. Youngsters tend to get rambunctious with the small fragile pooches that average 2 to 7 pounds.
The poodles range from 1.5 to 7 years old.
Miniature poodles travel well and are ideal for people who like to take their dog along on trips.
The dogs are smart and easily learn tricks, Morgan said.
Thursday wasn’t the first time dogs from a puppy mill were brought to the Humane Society for Animals.
“This isn’t my first rodeo,” Morgan said. About 50 beagles were taken in four years ago. Dogs from other puppy mill operations have come through the Humane Society, he added.
Employee Judy Key said she would take several of the dogs home and provide foster care for them in a large, fenced area.
As poodles at the Humane Society are adopted and room opens, dogs will be moved from Key’s residence to the shelter.
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At A Glance
Adopt A Poodle
About 30 miniature poodles remain available for adoption at the Humane Society For Animals, 407 E. Nursery Road, in Rogers.
Cost is $50 and includes spaying or neutering the dog. Miniature poodles do not shed so potential owners should plan on spending about $40 three to four times a year to have the dog groomed.
For details about adoption, call the Humane Society for Animals, 479-636-3703.
The society is open from 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday through Friday, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday and from 1 to 3 p.m. Sunday.
Source: Humane Society For Animals