Three men arrested, charged in connection to Greene County puppy mill
GREENE COUNTY, Va. (WRIC) -- Three Greene County men were arrested and now face dozens of animal cruelty charges in connection to a puppy mill found in Free Union earlier this year. According to the Greene County Sheriff's Office, 67-year-old Nathan J. Yoder, 40-year-old Maynard Swarey and 33-year-old Luke Yoder were arrested on Dec. 9. They were each charged with one count of felony animal cruelty and 24 counts of misdemeanor animal cruelty. To differentiate between felony and misdemeanor animal cruelty, Virginia Law states that a person must be involved in severe mistreatment of animals, including torture. This update comes after charges have been pending since June of this year against the owners of the puppy mill where 81 dogs were removed and relocated due to a search warrant that revealed poor living conditions. The initial discovery of the mill showed that among the 81 dogs relocated were puppies as well as males and females -- some of which were pregnant. All three men are currently being held without bond at Central Virginia Regional Jail, according to the sheriff's office.
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GREENE COUNTY, Va. (WRIC) -- Three Greene County men were arrested and now face dozens of animal cruelty charges in connection to a puppy mill found in Free Union earlier this year.
According to the Greene County Sheriff's Office, 67-year-old Nathan J. Yoder, 40-year-old Maynard Swarey and 33-year-old Luke Yoder were arrested on Dec. 9. They were each charged with one count of felony animal cruelty and 24 counts of misdemeanor animal cruelty.
To differentiate between felony and misdemeanor animal cruelty, Virginia Law states that a person must be involved in severe mistreatment of animals, including torture.
This update comes after charges have been pending since June of this year against the owners of the puppy mill where 81 dogs were removed and relocated due to a search warrant that revealed poor living conditions.
The initial discovery of the mill showed that among the 81 dogs relocated were puppies as well as males and females -- some of which were pregnant.
All three men are currently being held without bond at Central Virginia Regional Jail, according to the sheriff's office.
