Clark County suspends kennel license after dead dogs found in freezers

LAS VEGAS, Nev. (FOX5) – Clark County suspended the Valley kennel’s operating license after Animal Control officers found numerous animals living in dirty conditions.

The situation gets worse; evidence shows officers removed the bodies of two dogs from a double freezer. Veterinarians say both died of neglect or abuse.

FOX5 Investigates only obtained photos from the Animal Control raid on the VIP Cabin in Warm Springs and I-15 last August after filing a request under the Freedom of Information Act.

The photos show dogs in enclosed spaces with doors so dirty it’s hard to see inside. It also shows numerous puppies in an enclosed area surrounded by feces and urine and a row of dirty refrigerators containing pet medications and perishable foods.

We won’t show you pictures of the most surprising discovery: officers pulled a three-year-old French bulldog and a Chow of about the same age from a pair of freezers.

Reports indicate that both dogs belong to the kennel’s owner, Kurt Williams. The same veterinary reports indicate that the bulldog died from symptoms of heatstroke. A tennis ball-sized hairball led to Chow’s eventual death.

The kennel is still open for business because its owner, Williams, has not been convicted of any crimes.

Williams declined to speak to FOX5 Investigates’ Andryanna Sheppard about the case. It is under investigation.

We learned that Clark County suspended the kennel’s business license a few days after FOX5 asked about the kennel’s status. But this does not mean that it should be closed. The kennel can remain open until the county revokes its license, and it’s unclear how long that review process will take.

Williams has upcoming court dates and we will be following the hearing.

Now, we realize this story comes at a time when many pet parents are planning to travel for the holidays. So we’ve come up with some advice for keeping your dog or cat safe, healthy and happy during your time apart.

“We’ve had him for about two weeks, he’s a miniature pinscher, he loves coming to the dog park, he plays with other dogs, he runs around, he has a lot of energy, so we love taking him here. It’s very close to where we live.”

Michael Batogower and Leal Silverstone’s little Babka has been gone for a long time. They were hoping to bring their new fur baby to Florida to meet family for Thanksgiving, but Batgower tells us that won’t work.

“He’s not old enough, and now we’re trying to figure out how to catch him if we get to Thanksgiving where we have options.”

While boarding isn’t an option for a pup as young as Babka, it’s a good choice for many families who can’t take their pets on their trips.

Valley Veterinarian Dr. David Espinoza asks you to do your homework; check websites, look at reviews, and get recommendations from friends and neighbors.

“Most of the time you need to call ahead, talk to the person up front, review the guidelines and requirements, and it’s always a good idea to review specific questions and details before reaching your veterinarian and planning your boarding.”

And Espinosa wants you to see for yourself where your dog or cat will stay. You can even try a test run.

“Before we go in there, it’s always a good idea to go ahead and meet the people behind the scenes, go and do an overview, sometimes you can even do a sort of daycare display, bring them in for the day, see how they enjoy it, and that’s it before you go in.” It’s always a good idea.

Dr. Espinoza says your pet’s health should come first And for those who care about them.

“It’s very important to rule out infectious diseases, exposures, and overall quality of life in a kennel, and the biggest things I look for in a boarding facility are how up-to-date their vaccination protocols are, stool monitoring, things to make sure they don’t go in there and pick something up to bring home.”

The American Kennel Club implores you to find out whether a kennel schedules feeding and playtimes (whether they select play groups based on breed size) and whether they offer training for younger puppies.

The doctor warns to remember that older dogs need special care, especially when it comes to prescriptions.

“And you certainly want trained staff to be able to handle these types of medications and make sure their pets are taken care of,” Espinosa says.

It suggests an increasingly common feature for pet parents prone to worry.

“The gold standard of boarding with today’s technology is being able to monitor them through cameras and videos and get feedback on how they are doing, how they are feeling, and even whether they are eating on time.”

As for our new friend Bobka, he’ll be spending his first Thanksgiving at home here in the Valley.

“He is so young that we don’t want to put him in someone else’s care. We just got him, he’s not potty trained, so it’s hard to tell someone you have to take him out every hour,” says Silverstone.

Other Valley families can rest easy knowing their furry members are receiving proper care.

The AKC recommends packing some items for your pet, including his favorite toy, his blanket, his food, and a piece of clothing you recently stimulated. Dogs find the scent soothing.

If your pet looks tired from playtime when you pick him up, it means he had a good stay.

More positive signs; They appear attached to the handler, have no bruises or scratches, and their paws are clean and free of dirt or feces.

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