- Oklahoma, USA -
Following an animal abuse investigation conducted by the Wagoner County Sheriff’s Office, an illegal kennel and puppy mill operation was shut down and dozens of dogs were removed.
On Sunday, April 26, investigator Ben Noble responded to a complaint reported by a concerned dog rescuer.
Investigator Noble went to a property on 66099 S. 300 Road, in Chouteau and made contact with BRITTANAY KUHSE (pictured below) to talk about previous animal cruelty charges.
Noble observed at the time “multiple open-air makeshift kennels with an estimated number of 50-to-80 dogs.”
The poor dogs did not have water, food, or shelter.
Investigator Noble then determined that based on the apparent neglect and abuse, there were grounds to obtain a search warrant.
A few days later, on Wednesday, April 29, deputies executed the search warrant.
They discovered about 65 dogs, including 20 puppies throughout the property living in their own excrement.
The poor puppies were nursing in a 4-foot by 4-foot cage, lying in their own waste.
There was also a dog ready to deliver her babies.
According to News On 6, on October 16, deputies went to the woman’s property to investigate CHESTER BURKHOLDER (pictured below) on child abuse charges and discovered more than 60 dogs living in appalling conditions.
The dogs were not provided with water, food, or shelter.
KUHSE admitted that all the dogs were hers.
In December 2019, she and BURKHOLDER were charged with animal cruelty.
Deputies gave KUHSE time to improve the conditions of the dogs but that clearly did not happen.
Sheriff Chris Elliott said: “We’re working with the district attorney to ensure Ms. Kuhse can never get her hands on another dog.”
Husky Halfway House in Eufaula, Heartland Husky Rescue out of Oklahoma City, Chasing Miracles Animal Rescue in Stigler, and BARC Rescue in Broken Arrow assisted with removing the dogs.
These shelters will also provide veterinary care until all dogs are healthy enough to be adopted.
KUHSE faces multiple charges of animal cruelty and neglect and those charges from December are still pending.
