For this I might support the death penalty

... or at least perhaps sterilization (for him, not the dogs).

What a shocking and very upsetting story in the news up this way:

"The owner of an alleged puppy mill in Caldwell County has been charged with 104 counts of animal cruelty.
Animal control officers raided Mason Creek Kennels on Thursday and seized 276 dogs, mostly smaller breeds, including some with serious infections who were living in dirty cages stacked on top of one another.

"Today, authorities charged 53-year-old William 'Bill' Thomas Allen, the owner of the kennel on Free Mason Road in Hudson, about 70 miles northwest of Charlotte.

"Allen was released from custody on a written promise to appear in court because he's been cooperating with the investigation, said Shannon Foster, field supervisor of Caldwell County Animal Control.

Released from custody on written promise to appear in court? Really? Wow.
 

"Allen also faces two counts of failing to bury dead dogs. Those charges and the animal cruelty charges are misdemeanors."

So he had dead dogs lying around, too? Meaning he probably is responsible for killing them, too!

"Authorities said the amount of charges Allen received was based on medical exams performed by veterinarians after the dogs were rescued.

"The dogs' injuries were the result of long-term neglect, rescuers said, with ailments including severe ear infections, matted fur and uterine infections from being overbred."

See, like I said, death penalty. But since he can still have kids, let's at least sterilize this man so he cannot spread his idiocy to others
 
"Allen surrendered 37 dogs, mostly older females who could no longer have puppies, to animal control the week before the raid, officials said. They were all euthanized."

37 dead dogs! All because of one man!
 
"Last week, Caldwell County Animal Control Director Greg Greene told the Observer that officers had visited Mason Creek Kennels several times in recent years. Officers had asked Allen to make changes, Greene said, and he initially complied.

"But conditions at the kennel steadily worsened during the past two years as Allen's health declined and he became disabled, Greene said.

"Authorities could not step in until the case reached the point of animal cruelty, Greene said, because there are no laws to prohibit puppy mills or regulate commercial breeders who sell animals to the public.

"Animal advocates have been pushing for three years for a state law to set breeder requirements for veterinary care, housing and exercise. The bill stalled in the General Assembly after some lawmakers called it too controversial.

"The rescued dogs have since been distributed among several animal shelters. On Saturday, more than 40 of the dogs arrived at the Humane Society of Charlotte, where they were sent to foster homes until they're ready to be adopted.

"Allen's first court appearance is scheduled for July 21."

What kind of sick person does this? Personally, I'd support freeing some minor drug offenders from jail or prison to make room for people like this.

http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2011/06/22/2398622/puppy-kennel-owner-charged-with.html