SPCA Press Release..... 3 July 2015
Roodewal Kennels was exposed as a large miniature schnauzer puppy farm empire. With a kingpin at the top doing the marketing with many other breeders contracted to supply miniature schnauzer puppies into the network. It has been shut down. Between Schnauzer Friends South Africa and the SPCA's 320 breeding ex Roodewal Kennel breeding stock schnauzers were rescued, sterilized, medically treated and rehomed into loving homes. These dogs were kept in horrific conditions outside with little human contact, while locked into the breeding cycle, without a voice of their own. Many were emotionally broken and need extensive rehabilitation. They now have a chance to be loved pets!
PRESS RELEASE - Elmarie Celliers - Roodewal Kennels
On the 5th June 2015 the Highveld Ridge SPCA Inspectors investigated the farm Roodewal in the Ermelo district in Mpumalanga, after receiving a call for assistance from Ermelo SAPS regarding the possibility that a puppy mill was operating from the premises.
SPCA officials found 76 Schnauzer dogs living in fenced enclosures. Although the dogs appeared in acceptable condition the property was not well kept, the staff hostile and the general conditions were not neat and tidy.
The owner of the dogs, Mrs Elmarie Celliers, was not present.
The dogs were seized in terms of the Animals Protection number 71 of 1962, Regulation 468 and taken to the Highveld Ridge SPCA for care while the investigation continued.
Only one sick dog was diagnosed with biliary.
Most of the dogs had parasite infestation and were in serious need of grooming.
On Monday 8th June 2015 Mrs Celliers contacted the SPCA and offered her full co-operation and assistance while the SPCA continued the investigation. A donation was made to the SPCA for the immediate care of the dogs and she offered to pay for any further veterinary care for the animals.
In terms of Regulation 468 Mrs Celliers was given 7 days to contact the SPCA after the animals had been seized. The regulation states that once contact is made arrangements can then be made in the best interest of the animals. In this case Mrs Celliers signed over and gave up all interest in the dogs within 48 hours.
Mrs Celliers has been in constant contact with the Highveld Ridge SPCA and is assisting the SPCA financially with the day to day care of the dogs while the adoption of the dogs takes place in terms of the SPCA rules and regulations.
The dogs are now groomed and clean, have been treated for parasites and are responding well to their rehabilitation program. Successful adoptions have already taken place.
On 25th June 2015 a further 54 dogs were signed over to the SPCA by a contract breeder to Mrs Celliers and on 30th June 2015 a further 12 dogs were handed over to the SPCA by another contract breeder.
The Celliers family and friends immediately got involved and are organizing a fun day to raise much needed funds for the SPCA.
The SPCA will continue to investigate Roodewal kennels, at this stage of the investigation there is not enough evidence to press criminal charges against Mrs Celliers.
Mrs Celliers apology is acknowledged.
The signed copy is in the possession of the Highveld Ridge SPCA
UNDERTAKING AND APOLOGY
I, Elmarie Celliers, hereby state that:
1. I was away at the time when the SPCA visited and seized my dogs and therefore I am not in a position to comment on the events that took place on that day.
2. I have not shied away from any of my responsibilities and I have been in contact with the SPCA throughout this process and I have responded to each and every request made by the SPCA.
3. I have co-operated fully with the SPCA during their investigation and I have and will continue to:
3.1. unconditionally assist them in anything that they request;
3.2. answer any questions that they formally ask;
3.3. provide any information or details that they formally request;
3.4. assist with rehoming activities;
3.5. provide financial assistance relating to the care of the dogs and preparing them for rehoming.
4. Regardless of the outcome, I confirm the following:
4.1. None of my family members were directly or indirectly involved in my dog breeding business.
4.2. I have ceased all dog breeding operations at Roodewal Kennels.
4.3. I will not conduct, run, manage, partake or be involved, directly or indirectly, in dog breeding in any way whatsoever going forward.
4.4. I will demolish all existing kennels on my property within a reasonable time period.
4.5. I will further ensure that my employees undergo training with the assistance of the SPCA so as to ensure that they appreciate that what they did was wrong.
5. Further, I wish to extend my sincere gratitude and appreciation to the SPCA and all the parties who have assisted in caring for the dogs and finding them new homes.
6. Should you have any queries or require any assistance with any dog which I have supplied to you, please contact Roger Glover at [email protected].
7. Lastly and most importantly, I apologise unconditionally to my family members, clients and all persons who may have suffered any prejudice or harm as a result of the way in which I conducted my dog business. I certainly did not spend 30 years of my life dedicated to the miniature schnauzer breed in order to intentionally harm or hurt anyone or any animal, if this indeed happened, I apologise unconditionally.
On the 5th June 2015 the Highveld Ridge SPCA Inspectors investigated the farm Roodewal in the Ermelo district in Mpumalanga, after receiving a call for assistance from Ermelo SAPS regarding the possibility that a puppy mill was operating from the premises.
SPCA officials found 76 Schnauzer dogs living in fenced enclosures. Although the dogs appeared in acceptable condition the property was not well kept, the staff hostile and the general conditions were not neat and tidy.
The owner of the dogs, Mrs Elmarie Celliers, was not present.
The dogs were seized in terms of the Animals Protection number 71 of 1962, Regulation 468 and taken to the Highveld Ridge SPCA for care while the investigation continued.
Only one sick dog was diagnosed with biliary.
Most of the dogs had parasite infestation and were in serious need of grooming.
On Monday 8th June 2015 Mrs Celliers contacted the SPCA and offered her full co-operation and assistance while the SPCA continued the investigation. A donation was made to the SPCA for the immediate care of the dogs and she offered to pay for any further veterinary care for the animals.
In terms of Regulation 468 Mrs Celliers was given 7 days to contact the SPCA after the animals had been seized. The regulation states that once contact is made arrangements can then be made in the best interest of the animals. In this case Mrs Celliers signed over and gave up all interest in the dogs within 48 hours.
Mrs Celliers has been in constant contact with the Highveld Ridge SPCA and is assisting the SPCA financially with the day to day care of the dogs while the adoption of the dogs takes place in terms of the SPCA rules and regulations.
The dogs are now groomed and clean, have been treated for parasites and are responding well to their rehabilitation program. Successful adoptions have already taken place.
On 25th June 2015 a further 54 dogs were signed over to the SPCA by a contract breeder to Mrs Celliers and on 30th June 2015 a further 12 dogs were handed over to the SPCA by another contract breeder.
The Celliers family and friends immediately got involved and are organizing a fun day to raise much needed funds for the SPCA.
The SPCA will continue to investigate Roodewal kennels, at this stage of the investigation there is not enough evidence to press criminal charges against Mrs Celliers.
Mrs Celliers apology is acknowledged.
The signed copy is in the possession of the Highveld Ridge SPCA
UNDERTAKING AND APOLOGY
I, Elmarie Celliers, hereby state that:
1. I was away at the time when the SPCA visited and seized my dogs and therefore I am not in a position to comment on the events that took place on that day.
2. I have not shied away from any of my responsibilities and I have been in contact with the SPCA throughout this process and I have responded to each and every request made by the SPCA.
3. I have co-operated fully with the SPCA during their investigation and I have and will continue to:
3.1. unconditionally assist them in anything that they request;
3.2. answer any questions that they formally ask;
3.3. provide any information or details that they formally request;
3.4. assist with rehoming activities;
3.5. provide financial assistance relating to the care of the dogs and preparing them for rehoming.
4. Regardless of the outcome, I confirm the following:
4.1. None of my family members were directly or indirectly involved in my dog breeding business.
4.2. I have ceased all dog breeding operations at Roodewal Kennels.
4.3. I will not conduct, run, manage, partake or be involved, directly or indirectly, in dog breeding in any way whatsoever going forward.
4.4. I will demolish all existing kennels on my property within a reasonable time period.
4.5. I will further ensure that my employees undergo training with the assistance of the SPCA so as to ensure that they appreciate that what they did was wrong.
5. Further, I wish to extend my sincere gratitude and appreciation to the SPCA and all the parties who have assisted in caring for the dogs and finding them new homes.
6. Should you have any queries or require any assistance with any dog which I have supplied to you, please contact Roger Glover at [email protected].
7. Lastly and most importantly, I apologise unconditionally to my family members, clients and all persons who may have suffered any prejudice or harm as a result of the way in which I conducted my dog business. I certainly did not spend 30 years of my life dedicated to the miniature schnauzer breed in order to intentionally harm or hurt anyone or any animal, if this indeed happened, I apologise unconditionally.
