SD Dog Breeder Sues HSUS and Others for $5 Million

A dog breeder in South Dakota has filed a $5 million lawsuit against the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS), and local police, an animal rescue organization, and prosecutors who raided and shut down his business, according to the Argus Leader.

Dan Christensen, the former dog breeder, was charged with 173 misdemeanor counts of inhumane treatment of an animal, but the case against him was dismissed in July.  Brownfield Ag News reports that a judge ruled that the "search warrant used in the raid was wrongfully obtained by an animal control officer who intentionally misled the court."  This ruling was upheld by the South Dakota Supreme Court in June, according to the Argus Leader.

Christensen alleges that the animals were in good health when they were seized and "fell ill only because of improper care at the shelter."  He also argues that the shelter "lost track of of the dogs, including as many as 300 pups born in its care."

Rosey Quinn, the founder of Second Chance Rescue Center argues that the search was legal and hopes to be able to present the shelter's arguments during the current case.

To watch a news clip of the story from KELO TV, click here.
To read the Argus Leader story, click here.

Posted: 09/15/2010