CONWAY, SC (WBTW) – Dogs seized at a Conway puppy mill were scheduled to be adopted Tuesday, but a temporary injunction filed with  Horry County will delay the adoptions.

Horry County Police tweeted “Dog adoptions postponed due to temporary restraining order filed by owner.”

Renee James was charged in violation of an ordinance to provide proper care and treatment for animals. She relinquished her rights over the dogs last week, but decided she wanted them back. In a motion to Horry County, James requested a halt to the neutering and spaying of her breeding dogs and a halt to adoptions. She also asked that all pregnant females be returned to her and to have the balance of her dogs returned to her.

Attorney James Dotson issued the restraining order, in which he alleges certain members of an animal rescue facility trespassed onto the defendant’s property with a video camera and are selling her dogs for a $350 adoption fee. Dotson also writes that James’s case was,

“egged along by people who honestly personify to the point of ridiculousness their dogs, who believe that there is no place for honest working, hunting, guard, or farm dog; and, that everyone should believe like them that it is acceptable for your dog to sit at the table with you and for you to cut it pieces of steak and feed the cute little poo eater from your fork.”

According to documents, the motion was filed to protect James and her business from financial hardships while she awaits a jury trial. A hearing on the motion will take place Wednesday at 3 p.m.

Horry County Police busted the puppy mill located in the 6300 block of Highway 65 on March 4 and rescued more than 140 puppies and dogs.

The 146 dogs that were seized are now at the Horry County Animal Care Center and all will be available for adoption.

A woman, Renee James, age 49, charged under Horry County Ordinance 4-3 for failure to provide proper care and treatment of animals.

Police said that James sold the dogs at Pet Safari, a Conway pet store, which she owns. She was fined $445 for the incident.

“They panic; they don’t know what to do,” said Lieutenant Raul Denis with the Horry County Police Department. “They panic and freeze and try to hug the ground. It’s disturbing to watch an animal that has never been on solid ground,” he added.

For hours, The Horry County Animal Care Center brought in truck loads of dogs.

In total, there were 146 dogs rescued by Horry County Police.

“It’s sad to watch those animals in that conditions they don’t understand what’s going on. They were bred in captivity and held in cages just to bread more,” said Denis

Each dog received three vaccinations upon arrival; costing $1,845 in total.

Unfortunately this type of situation is something the center has gotten used to dealing with.

“Puppy mills are a breeding factory where the bottom line is profit and then we get involved and this is what happens,” said Gary Gause.

Gause is the director of the Horry County Animal Care Center.

He says the shelter can hold 250 dogs. 

However a lot of these dogs have not yet been spayed or neutered and many are pregnant; that means the total number of dogs will rise.

And the center euthanizes if they go past the 250 capacity.

Gause says there are other organizations helping out, but for many dogs their lives rely on support from the community.

The suspect was charged with the same offense almost exactly a year ago.

That means in one year they were again able to breed at least 120 dogs.

Law enforcement say the suspect may face 123 charges of animal cruelty; a misdemeanor.

If you are interested in adopting visit the Horry County Animal Control Center at 1923 Industrial Park Rd, Conway, SC 29526 or call (843) 915-5172.

You can also visit the center’s Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Horry-County-Animal-Care-Center/232335916808165