VA Breeders Surrender 200 Dogs, Cats Over Mistreatment Claims

NORTH CHESTERFIELD, VA — Two Virginia breeders recently were ordered to surrender more than 200 dogs and cats after federal authorities accused the pair of pervasively mistreating the animals.

According to a U.S. Department of Justice release, Elena Mikirticheva and Andrey Mikirtichev of North Chesterfield were ordered to pay $300,000 in civil penalties after the agency filed a complaint against the pair in August.

According to the agency, the filing came after the pair received more than 50 Animal Welfare Act citations for jeopardizing the health of the animals by failing to provide adequate shelter, medical, and other care.

According to the DOJ filings, federal inspectors claimed that over two years, they repeatedly found the pair in possession of animals in need of veterinary care. Authorities said Mikirticheva and Mikirtichev would delay seeking veterinary care, and when animals were seen by a veterinarian, they would fail to follow the veterinarian’s advice.

One example, according to court documents obtained by WRIC. occurred when a brown tabby kitten was born with a malformed chest that was compressed inward; however, the pair did not tell the attending veterinarian about the kitten’s condition.

Instead, Mikirtichev tried to splint the cat's chest cavity himself with a toilet paper tube, but was unsuccessful, WRIC reported.

The filings further claim that inspectors found animals in cages smaller than required by federal law. They also found animals that were dehydrated or malnourished, authorities said.

Finally, the filings claim inspectors also allegedly observed junk, waste and hazardous materials in areas accessible to the animals.

This week, U.S. District Judge David Novak ordered Mikirticheva and Mikirtichev to surrender the animals in their care after the pair reached an agreement with federal authorities. As a result, approximately 45 dogs and cats were surrendered to the USDA and then placed with Virginia shelters and rescue organizations for adoption. The agencies then worked with the Virginia Attorney General’s Office to seize the remaining animals and place them with the Humane Society of the United States.

Mikirticheva and Mikirtichev were also permanently banned from Animal Welfare Act licensure or registration, federal authorities said.