21 Starving Pets Rescued From Unlicensed Prince George's Kennel, Owner Blames Technician

PRINCE GEORGE'S COUNTY, MD — After receiving tips from residents and an area veterinary hospital about nearly two dozen animals without food or water, Prince George's County Animal Control and a police officer searched an unlicensed kennel located in Clinton last week, according to media reports.

Charges of criminal animal cruelty and theft were filed against the kennel's operator, Tristian Taylor, Fox 45 News reported. Officers removed 21 animals from the site.

According to WJLA, a county spokesperson said the animals were severely emaciated and didn't have access to food or water. They were taken to local animal hospitals for medical care and are now receiving further care at the county animal services facility, Fox 45 said.

They are not available for adoption or fostering, however, because of an ongoing investigation.

Kennel customer and dog owner Tracy Sellmon told Fox 45 News that her dog Major is fighting for his life at an animal hospital. He was one of the 21 dogs removed from Taylormade K9s or Bark Base Kennel on Woodyard Road. She had paid Taylor and his business $3,000 for a long-term stay for her dog, who was healthy when he was dropped off.

She had no idea the state he was in, Sellmon told Fox 45 News, until an animal hospital staffer called her and notified her that "he had no pulse."

"You can see every single bone in his body. He could barely hold his head up. He couldn't even open his eyes. I almost passed out, it was that bad," Sellmon said.

Prince George's County officials told WJLA that anyone who believes they have a dog that was seized from the facility should contact the deputy associate director for animal control Terri Littlejohn at TYLittlejohn@co.pg.md.us.

WBFF reached out to Tristian Taylor by phone, who declined to speak on camera. He did post an apology on his business Instagram account and blamed his kennel technician for the neglect.