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Dealing Dogs
"Pete"
In early 2002, staked out in freezing conditions and forced to
witness horrible animal abuses day in and day out, “Pete” gathered
evidence for Last Chance for Animals' Special Investigations Unit (SIU).
For over five months "Pete" worked undercover at Martin Creek Kennels to
put the most notorious Class “B” dealer, C.C. Baird, behind bars.
Working closely with Chris DeRose, "Pete" was sent in to expose the pet
theft, routine abuse of animals and lack of adherence to the Animal
Welfare Act that are the common marks of a Class “B” dealer.
“We had been working to expose Class “B” dealers for 15
years. Getting “Pete” into C.C. Baird’s facility, where we knew
unthinkable things were happening to these animals, was the best way to
show the disgusting practices of Class “B” dealers and end the abuse at
Martin Creek Kennels.”
–Chris DeRose
Each morning, “Pete,” would suit up in his jeans, heavy flannel
shirt and work boots to head out to the kennels in Williford, Arkansas.
His outward appearance was that of every other employee at Martin Creek
Kennels.
“To gather enough evidence to finally put this animal abuser
out of business, we had to get someone on the inside. To get inside and
to work at the kennels and survive, I had to look like these people,
talk like them, and act like them. I had to BE these people. If they had
found out who I really was, my life would have definitely been in
danger.”
–“Pete”
But underneath his battered work clothes, “Pete” was secretly
documenting the atrocities at Baird’s facilities. Using a tiny
microphone and videotaping device, “Pete” acquired more than 70 hours of
video surveillance. An overwhelming amount of animal cruelty, abuse,
neglect, and unsanitary conditions were exposed.
Dogs at Baird’s Kennel
“We have footage that shows how Class
“B” dealers pay people called “bunchers” who go out and steal family
pets or fraudulently acquire dogs and cats from “free to good home” ads.
“B” dealers keep these family pets in absolutely horrendous conditions
where they are abused, neglected, and often left to die.”
–Chris DeRose
The Raid
Last Chance for Animals' SIU unit
handed the material gathered during the undercover investigation
to the U.S. Attorney's Office, who brought in the U.S.
Department of Agriculture, the Environmental Protection Agency,
the U.S. Postal Systems, Arkansas State Police, and the local
Sheriffs Department. August 2003 brought an early morning raid
to Baird’s facility. Citing numerous violations of the Animal
Welfare Act, animals were rescued from Martin Creek Kennels with
the help of Northeastern Arkansas for Animals (NAFA).
LCA’s investigation of C.C. Baird’s Martin Creek Kennels
prompted the largest animal cruelty case in U.S. history. The
U.S. Attorney’s office, along with state, federal and local
officials,’ brought a case against Baird resulting in a guilty
plea to felony charges of conspiracy to launder money in an
operation involving the sale of dogs and cats to research
laboratories.
Baird's guilty plea stems from his role in mail fraud, in which
he violated the Animal Welfare Act by transferring dogs and cats
to research facilities with false acquisition records through
his facility, Martin Creek Kennels. The charge against Baird is
punishable by up to 10 years in prison and a fine of more than
$5 million. Baird’s sentencing is expected in early 2006.
"We are very pleased with the
outcome of the case. The U.S. Attorney's office, and
specifically Bud Cummins, has done a stellar job. He understands
the terrible impact Baird has had on thousands of people and
their animals and has worked hard to make sure justice is
served.”
–Chris DeRose
Unfortunately, there are still
Class “B” dealers operating throughout the U.S. putting family
pets in danger. Click
HERE to view the list of “B” dealers
selling animals to research labs and click
HERE to learn what you can do to help protect family
pets.
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