US shelter rears deformed pups

Updated 11.37 Sat May 19 2007

Keywords: New York, dogs, two-legged, chihuahua

An animal centre in New York is raising three chihuahua puppies born with no front legs.

It's believed the two-legged dogs were dumped by a 'puppy mill' - commercial breeders that produce animals with little consideration in genetic selection. As a result, deformities in animals are becoming increasingly common.

It's believed the two-legged dogs were dumped by a 'puppy mill'

The healthy pups were first dropped off at an animal shelter in Virginia, but staff called in experts from another shelter in Long Island, New York after deciding they lacked the facilities to rear them properly.

Lesley Duquette, senior director at the North Shore Animal League, described the breeders as irresponsible, breeding dogs just to make money.

She said: "Martinsville did not want to euthanise them but they were not able to take care of them the way North Shore America could. So, we raced down there and got them and they are doing well."

The case follows a nationwide campaign by the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) for breeders to take more care in genetic selection.