As most of you are aware, in 2003 the Humane Society of Union County led a successful 'bust' of a Monroe puppy mill owned and operated by Delores Perez.. The HSUC, along with the support of local veterinarians, the cooperation of law enforcement, the use of the animal shelter (formally on Goldmine Rd), and the media coverage, seized over 256 small dogs.  Most were in dire need of medical care and suffered from rotten teeth, injuries, infections, eye issues, tumors, emaciation and total neglect.  A huge "thank you" is sent to all the rescue organizations near and far that came and helped and took with them the broken little dogs which they nursed back to health and found new, forever homes.

The HSUC reached out to find an attorney to represent not only the HSUC, but someone who would speak on behalf of all the abused dogs. The HSUC found Rodney Alexander with the law firm Mayer Brown, in Charlotte, NC. He and his staff mounted a tremendous case against Delores Perez, all pro bono. Without him and his wonderful, passionate staff, the HSUC would not have been able to 'win' our case or rescue, vet and re-home over 250 dogs and puppies.

 Ms. Perez left Union County and moved to California where she thought she would be forgotten, but attorney Rodney Alexander and his staff did not forget and pursued Perez to California.  Mr. Alexander got a lien on the property and with the threat of auction/foreclosure on the 28 acres in Monroe, the HSUC and the law firm via, Ms. Perez's attorney, were sent a check in the amount of $38,952.15.  After five years, finally justice and closure for the Perez dogs, the HSUC and the amazing law firm!  HSUC president, Sue Ratliff, met with Rodney Alexander and was presented the check on july 25, 2008.  Beyond what was owed to HSUC, Mayer Brown Law Firm donated $10,000.00 to HSUC. 

WSOC-TV covered this story from start to finish and the final chapter can be viewed by clicking here:
http://www.wsoctv.com/news/17422364/detail.html

It seems now we read or hear about puppy mill busts and seizures often, but when this event took place it was still a new 'frontier'.
HSUC is forever grateful to all that participated.

BELOW: EXCERPTS FROM ORDER & JUDGMENT HANDED DOWN BY JUDGE BRAGG.

Whereas, by Order dated August 19, 2003 the District Court of the State of NC in Union Co. found Perez liable for animal cruelty pursuant to NCGS 191A-1 et seq. and, among other things, ordered that HSUC have possession of certain animals in Perez's custody and Perez pay (a) compensatory damages to HSUC in the amount of $38,952.15 for the reasonable and necessary veterinary care that HSUC had provided for the animals seized from Perez, and (b)$50,000 for the reasonable and necessary attorneys' fees and expenses incurred in the prosecution of the claims against Perez in the Lawsuit.

Whereas Perez failed to pay the amounts due HSUC pursuant to the August 19, Order, and HSUC filed a lawsuit in Union County Superior Court, Collection Lawsuit, against Naomi Delores Perez and obtained a judgment dated January 16, 2007 against Perez in the Collection Lawsuit in the amount of $88,952.15 and thereafter, HSUC began foreclosure proceedings on certain real property that Perez had owned in North Carolina.

As most of you are aware, in 2003 the Humane Society of Union County led a successful 'bust' of a Monroe puppy mill owned and operated by Delores Perez.. The HSUC, along with the support of local veterinarians, the cooperation of law enforcement, the use of the animal shelter (formally on Goldmine Rd), and the media coverage, seized over 256 small dogs.  Most were in dire need of medical care and suffered from rotten teeth, injuries, infections, eye issues, tumors, emaciation and total neglect.  A huge "thank you" is sent to all the rescue organizations near and far that came and helped and took with them the broken little dogs which they nursed back to health and found new, forever homes.

The HSUC reached out to find an attorney to represent not only the HSUC, but someone who would speak on behalf of all the abused dogs. The HSUC found Rodney Alexander with the law firm Mayer Brown, in Charlotte, NC. He and his staff mounted a tremendous case against Delores Perez, all pro bono. Without him and his wonderful, passionate staff, the HSUC would not have been able to 'win' our case or rescue, vet and re-home over 250 dogs, and puppies.

 Ms. Perez left Union County and moved to California where she thought she would be forgotten, but attorney Rodney Alexander and his staff did not forget and pursued Perez to California.  Mr. Alexander got a lien on the property and with the threat of auction/foreclosure on the 28 acres in Monroe, the HSUC and the law firm via, Ms. Perez's attorney, were sent a check in the amount of $38,952.15.  After five years, finally justice and closure for the Perez dogs, the HSUC and the amazing law firm!  HSUC president, Sue Ratliff, met with Rodney Alexander and was presented the check on july 25, 2008.  Beyond what was owed to HSUC, Mayer Brown Law Firm donated $10,000.00 to HSUC. 

WSOC-TV covered this story from start to finish and the final chapter can be viewed by clicking here:  http://www.wsoctv.com/news/17422364/detail.html

It seems now we read or hear about puppy mill busts and seizures often, but when this event took place it was still a new 'frontier'.  HSUC is forever grateful to all that participated.

BELOW: EXCERPTS FROM ORDER & JUDGMENT HANDED DOWN BY JUDGE BRAGG.

Whereas, by Order dated August 19, 2003 the District Court of the State of NC in Union Co. found Perez liable for animal cruelty pursuant to NCGS 191A-1 et seq. and, among other things, ordered that HSUC have possession of certain animals in Perez's custody and Perez pay (a) compensatory damages to HSUC in the amount of $38,952.15 for the reasonable and necessary veterinary care that HSUC had provided for the animals seized from Perez, and (b)$50,000 for the reasonable and necessary attorneys' fees and expenses incurred in the prosecution of the claims against Perez in the Lawsuit.

Whereas Perez failed to pay the amounts due HSUC pursuant to the August 19, Order, and HSUC filed a lawsuit in Union County Superior Court, Collection Lawsuit, against Naomi Delores Perez and obtained a judgment dated January 16, 2007 against Perez in the Collection Lawsuit in the amount of $88,952.15 and thereafter, HSUC began foreclosure proceedings on certain real property that Perez had owned in North Carolina.