Three Greene County men face dozens of animal cruelty charges after authorities raided an alleged puppy mill this past summer and seized more than 80 dogs.
The trio — 67-year-old Nathan Yoder, 40-year-old Maynard Swarey and 33-year-old Luke Yoder — were indicted by a grand jury on Dec. 9, nearly six months to the day after Greene County sheriff’s deputies raided a farm in the Free Union area of Greene County. They have been charged with one count each of felony animal cruelty and 24 counts each of misdemeanor animal cruelty.
"Greene County Sheriff’s Office Animal Control division has been investigating a report of a puppy mill that had animals that were not being properly cared for," the sheriff’s office said in a statement announcing the arrests. "The issues with the treatment and condition of the animals led to a search warrant being obtained."
The sheriff’s office executed that search warrant on Shady Lane Farm on June 10.
Animal Control and a licensed veterinarian reported finding 81 dogs, including puppies and pregnant females, at the farm living in unhealthy conditions.
"All dogs on location were removed and are currently in placement with dog shelters or rescue organizations," the sheriff’s office said.
Shady Lane Farm is owned by Shady Lane Family Farm LLC, but was previously part of the Yoder Family Revocable Trust, according to Greene County property records.
In addition to their business at Shady Lane Farm, Swarey and Luke Yoder are listed as the co-owners of the Barracks Road Farm Market outside Charlottesville.
The market advertises its products as fresh, sustainable, locally grown and competitively priced. The market’s website refers to Shady Lane Farm on at least one occasion, but a "Visit our farm!" has been routed back to the Barracks Road Farm Market homepage.
Both of the Yoders and Swarey remain in custody at Central Virginia Regional Jail in the town of Orange.
Source: www.dailyprogress.com
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