60 puppies headed to Northeast pet stores die in tractor-trailer fire in Massachusetts
LOWELL, Mass. (AP) — A trailer carrying dozens of puppies to Northeast pet stores caught fire just off an interstate, killing all of the estimated 60 dogs inside, authorities said.
The driver first noticed smoke coming from his trailer just before 5 p.m. Monday, state police said. He pulled over, and the Lowell Fire Department put out the flames that engulfed the trailer, but they couldn’t save the puppies.
The puppies were a variety of breeds between the ages of 8 and 12 weeks, according to a state police news release.
Neither the driver, identified as Joseph Price, 40, of Joplin, Mo., nor his passenger, William Iriarte, 50, of Nesho, Mo., was injured.
A preliminary investigation indicated that a malfunctioning fan in the rear of the trailer may have started the fire, police said. No charges have been filed.
The truck was owned by the Hunte Corp. of Goodman, Mo., a major puppy supplier for pet stores.
“The puppies were all beautiful, healthy purebreds that were on their way to quality retailers in the northeast and eventually to loving New England families,” the company said in a statement. The company said it has a near-perfect safety record.
Comments (36)
Were these "pupppy mill" pups? What reputable breeder would even think of transporting puppies to pet stores........this is horrendous.
Sure sounds like it to me - and even if they aren't they should be put out of business for this
Oh just friggin great we now have Puppy Fiery Death heading for a month or more. Thanks a bunch Denise!!!
The Hunt Corporation is the biggest dealer of puppy mill dogs. They are located in I think Missouri.
They are disgusting and should be put out of business.
The Hunte corp President and Officers should be flogged in the public square and sentenced to pick up road kill for three years if not longer for their heartless profiteering and Denise needs to chose her headings more carefully.
Joanne, interesting info from you. Could you get the info for the Hunt Corporation and the Animal Welfare groups in this area?
These puppies may have died, but we can be their voices just like we were for Otis. Yes, it is indeed terrible - let's all unite and DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT. Let's write to the powers to be and put these puppy mills out of business for good.
It's the HUNTE Corporation (if it is right in Denise's post above.) Don't want the letters going to the wrong corporation.
Here's a link to what Friends of Animals has to say about Hunte Corporaiton. This will make you sick.
They are huge huge huge animal brokers and are even subsidized by loans from the government. Scroll a little past halfway down the page to a section called The Corporation
http://www.friendsofanimals.org/actionline/summer-2004/that-bulldog.html
Annie
Boycotting the stores that sell animals is the only defense. Until there is a ban put on it this will go on indefinitly. Also remember, none of these tractor trailers have air conditoning in the trailer so the animals have to indure the heat and darkness as well. When you pass a truck on the highway you have no idea what's in the trailer they are completely closed in.
This is a direct quote from the president of the Hunte Corporation, it seems as though he was "saved" in the 90's..makes you wonder. The only way to stop puppy mills is to educate people.
Here's the quote:
The company’s motto is Doing What’s Right. “That requires some hard decisions,” said Andrew Hunte. “You have to ask ‘what would Jesus do’ for the puppies, our customers, our breeders, the finances and our employees.” It’s a mission that drives the Huntes daily to fulfill.
What I should have added above is that I feel that Jesus would frown on what is happening to God's precious creatures in puppy mills, I don't think he would be proud of the Hunte Corporation's practices, regardless of the religious beliefs of the owner.
I'm not sure boycotting is the answer - I do a lot of meet and greets with my greyhound adoption group - and I have numerous people that will stop by and the first thing out of their mouths is that they either just got a puppy or are going to get a puppy shortly from a pet shop - I try to persuade them to go to the local animal shelters but some have a problem going there - thinking perhaps that they are problem dogs or not puppies - we all know that isn't the case. Putting puppy mills out of business is the only way to fix this situation and perhaps we can get on a letter writing campaign again - it worked for Duke, hopefully it will work for Otis - and it can work for these puppies. Can we find out who to contact to start this letter writing campaign?
Andrew Hunte has made MILLIONS of dollars selling puppies to pet shops, for many many years. His main client is Petland.
If you go to the Hunte Corporation website, notice a couple of things. If you want to find your perfect dog, it brings you right to the AKC website. Also notice there is no contact info for Hunte Corporation, no address, email address or phone number....wonder why?
Those poor puppies are transported across the country in CLOSED semi trailers. They are supposed to be air-conditioned, but I am sure many of the puppies die in transport. We just never hear about it.
Hunte Corp
121 N Roy Hill Blvd
Goodman, MO zip code
Phone: (417) 364-8597
This is the address of the Hunt Corporation, I doubt that they will answer any mail. There are many web sites I found that are trying to put an end to the puppy mill pet stores. Just Google the name Hunte Corporation, there is tons of information. This particular truck load of puppies was destined for pet stores in probably the Boston area, shame on my state.
and those that arrive alive, are usually sick I've heard
http://www.caps-web.org, this is an interesting link to an organization that is fighting to end puppy millers, pet stores etc.
While I know this is the Vivi blog, its nice that so many have come together for the sake of other animals in need.
http://www.caps-web.org, this is an interesting link to an organization that is fighting to end puppy millers, pet stores etc.
While I know this is the Vivi blog, its nice that so many have come together for the sake of other animals in need.
Woops, posted twice, sorry
People often buy these poor puppies on impulse...they see an adorable puppy in the store, they want it, then they let themselves be told the sickening lies but the owners/workers in these places. Does anyone actually think they are told the vast majority of these babies are from "puppy mills" ?
Anyone know what trucking company the Hunte Corp uses?
Anyone know what trucking company the Hunte Corp uses?
The Hunte Corporation says on it's web site that they own their own fleet of trucks, but who really knows.
Thank you Joanne. I've never been on their website.
i agree, joanne. sometimes all it takes is a quick email or petition signing while sitting on the computer to save a life - look at duke!!! it's ALOT less work than hunting for our angel, i'll tell you. and most of us work at least 40-50 hours a week anyway in front of a computer so why not? take a minute and get involved - things to happen!!!!!
I feel so sad about those poor little puppies. They never had a chance. This guy is raking in millions using innocent creatures. It's amazing that this conscienceless guy can sleep at night. I wish there were a way to have the state humane society for where Hunte is located somehow stop him. I honestly don't understand why people are so stupid to buy these puppies at pet stores like Petland. They have to realize that all these puppies are from puppy mills. No reputable breeder needs to dump their pedigreed puppies in a mall pet shop! If only there was no demand at the consumer level, then this guy would be out of business. Grrrr, I'm so angry.
I feel so sad about those poor little puppies. They never had a chance. This guy is raking in millions using innocent creatures. It's amazing that this conscienceless guy can sleep at night. I wish there were a way to have the state humane society for where Hunte is located somehow stop him. I honestly don't understand why people are so stupid to buy these puppies at pet stores like Petland. They have to realize that all these puppies are from puppy mills. No reputable breeder needs to dump their pedigreed puppies in a mall pet shop! If only there was no demand at the consumer level, then this guy would be out of business. Grrrr, I'm so angry.
I feel so sad about those poor little puppies. They never had a chance. This guy is raking in millions using innocent creatures. It's amazing that this conscienceless guy can sleep at night. I wish there were a way to have the state humane society for where Hunte is located somehow stop him. I honestly don't understand why people are so stupid to buy these puppies at pet stores like Petland. They have to realize that all these puppies are from puppy mills. No reputable breeder needs to dump their pedigreed puppies in a mall pet shop! If only there was no demand at the consumer level, then this guy would be out of business. Grrrr, I'm so angry.
Guess I got my point across...printed 3 times!!!!
Sorry.
The Massachusetts SPCA is looking into the accident. It is posted on their website MSPCA. I've been thrown out of pet stores that sell puppies because of my big mouth, lucky I am not in the slammer, but hate to see people wanting to buy the cute doggies in the window, never guessing where they come from..education is the key, along with writing and faxing to people in higher places.
Interesting comment about the almost perfect safetly record when there was another incident involving one of their trucks - seems the driver went to the hospital while transporting a load of dogs - the cooling system shut off and killed 4 puppies I think...disgusting.
Pet shops chosing to use local "breeders" are just as bad - I used to shop at a store that carried all my favorite foods - then they decided to have dogs for "adoption" because that word is much easier for the public to accept than selling puppies. Well I am here to tell you that the store is BUYING from unscrupulous backyard breeders and then marking them up bigtime and selling them. I watched someone bring in a basked of doxie pups as if it were a dirty load of laundry - couldnt wait to get her money. I told the owner who truly seemed concerned about my comments that I would NEVER buy in the store again and would pull all of the business I send them from my pet owners. She said she is doing her clientele a favor as they get so many requests for dogs...auuuughghghghg. I asked her why did they lie and call it "adoption" and what kind of follow up and home check they did. She looked at me as if I had slapped her and then she asked "do YOU check every home?" and looked at me as if I were lying when I said yes. Grrrr I had better stop now....really gets my dander up. Wish there was a good answer for it all...
Jeanette - I hear you for sure. I believe the only way we are going to stop this type of horrible deeds against God's creatures is through prayer and through trying to re-educate people about God's creatures. Until people look at these animals as they do children and other human beings, this will continue. The sad thing is society is losing more and more respect for even human life, so how can we expect them to respect animal life either.
Also, spay/neuter HAS TO PREVAIL. This overpopulation of animals born into these situations has got to stop. My research for a website I worked on told me that just 60% of animals spayed and neutered could STOP euthanization (and hopefully these other horrible things as well).
People, please spay/neuter your animals. If you have a litter and find homes, please insist proof that the babies are spayed and neutered as well.
I think the driver and the corporate executives of the company should be put in jail for a long time.
Ok, I can't stand to hear anymore disturbing things that these poor animals are haveing to deal with. I worked for the Hunte Corp. off and on since I was 18 and couldn't stand the things that I had to see. The puppys look so sad and lonely they cry constantly, and you don't have time to play w/ them and there are so many that you can't compfort them all. But I do know how the trailers are set up and they do have a/c and lights and an automatic watering system, they are verry nice trailers but this is the most disturbing thing I think I have ever heard. Something needs to be done about this company enough is enough. Ally
The Hunte Corporation is a shame to this nation. OK, we don't eat dogs in our culture. We're superior because we simply abuse them for profit, right? I wonder how Grandaddy Hunte would feel if someone helped themselves to one of his granddaughters, caged her and treated her the way those defenseless creatures are treated that make those awful people wealthy. Wealth that is gotten that way must make those people smell from a distance.
The Hunte Corporation is a shame to this nation. OK, we don't eat dogs in our culture. We're superior because we simply abuse them for profit, right? I wonder how Grandaddy Hunte would feel if someone helped themselves to one of his granddaughters, caged her and treated her the way those defenseless creatures are treated that make those awful people wealthy. Wealth that is gotten that way must make those people smell from a distance.
I just realized that my puppy is from Hunte and this accident happen 5 months after he was born--he just missed this fire and it makes me sick to know that my dog probably was mistreated. They NEED to be put out of business.