The two owners of an alleged puppy mill in Stokes County each were charged today with 27 misdemeanor acts of animal cruelty, according to Stokes County Animal Control Director Phil Handy.

Willis and Lucile Mabe of Danbury were not arrested because the charges were misdemeanors. Their court date is set for April 2.

Handy says the charges will most likely result in fines.

Stokes County Animal Control officers removed 160 dogs from the breeding facility with the help of the Humane Society of the U.S. on February 7. The dogs, mostly French and English bulldogs and Boston terriers, were turned over to the Guilford County Animal Shelter in Greensboro. Some dogs went to the SPCA of Wake County and the SPCA of Charlotte.

Marsha Williams, the director of the Guilford County Shelter, said at the time the shelter received dogs that appeared to have eye infections, hematomas, heart murmurs, severe dental problems, matting and dermatitis as well as broken teeth and jaws.

You can read more about this case here and here.

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