EDMONTON—An Edmonton woman is facing animal cruelty charges after dozens of puppies were found at an alleged puppy mill with severe signs of neglect.

After reports from concerned buyers who saw the dogs for sale on an unnamed website, police found the animals Sunday on a rural property near 247 Ave. and 18 St.

There were 72 dogs in total, police said, mostly Havanese — a small breed native to Cuba — ranging in age from two weeks to adults. Some of the puppies were hidden inside a closet and beneath a hutch in the residence when police arrived with Animal Care and Control members.

Out of 72 animals, 52 were puppies.

The dogs looked severely neglected and possibly ill, police said. They were taken to the Animal Care and Control Centre, where they are being examined.

Tracy Bauder, acting director for the Animal Care and Control Centre, said the dogs are doing well.

“They spent the entire day (Monday) being examined by our medical team, by our veterinarians,” she said.

“Today is still the ongoing care, getting them more baths. Because they did need to be bathed.”

Animal control originally received a complaint about the puppies on July 26 from a buyer who had been to the property a number of times to purchase a puppy.

Sabrina Bergin, an animal control officer and a peace officer, said this person became concerned after looking at the conditions at the property and reached out to City of Edmonton.

Bergin said they first visited the property on July 27 and because peace officers allow citizens to comply on their own and because the pet owner was co-operating, they decided to return the next day to do a full inspection.

“On the (July) 28, we returned and found that there were concerns of serious proportions and went forward with the seizure of the 72 pets at the property with the assistance of the Edmonton Police Service,” Bergin said.

Bergin also stressed that because this is an open investigation, they cannot provide any more details on the conditions the puppies were found in or what will happen to them in the future.

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Police say investigators want to speak to past or potential customers who may have visited the northeast Edmonton property.

Gloria Sears, 57, faces several charges under the Criminal Code and the Animal Protection Act for causing animals distress and failing to provide adequate care, food and water and shelter.

Nadine Yousif is a reporter/photographer for Star Edmonton. Follow her on twitter: @nadineyousif_

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