TAMPA, Fla. -- Close to 400 dogs should be available for adoption in the next two weeks at the Hillsborough County Pet Resource Center.
Animal control officers seized the animals in September at a business in Tampa.
The county now has ownership of the animals. County officials said the dogs were used for breeding.
"We had been out there several times doing inspections and observing the operation of what was going on. We felt there were issues," said Roger Mills, Division Director for Animal Control.
Animal control officers inspected Trish's All Breed Grooming in August of 2019.
Court records state, "There were numerous kennels that housed nursing mothers with newborn pups. Most of these kennels were saturated with dirty, wet newspapers lining the floor of the kennels."
In September 2019, Tampa Police assisted Hillsborough County Animal Control with executing a search warrant at the facility.
According to court records, one dog was found in distress with puncture wounds. Two dogs seized from the facility tested positive for Parvo Virus which could be fatal if not treated correctly.
The woman at the center of the investigation, Alice Holt, has a history of animal cruelty charges that date back to 1999 when investigators busted the same location off Diana Street, but under a former name of Toyland Pet Resort.
On Wednesday, Hillsborough County Animal Control asked a judge to prohibit Holt and her employees from owning, possessing, keeping, harboring or having custody or control over any animal in the future.
A judge is expected to make a decision in November.
"We're asking for complete enjoyment where she can't own any animals. She can't run any shops, couldn't manage any location with animals or be in possession of any animals," said Mills.
Mills said the dogs are doing well at the shelter and should be available for adoption by mid-November.
