Worth County woman accused of running a puppy mill found guilty of animal neglect

NORTHWOOD — The owner of a Worth County dog breeding operation has been found been guilty of animal neglect.

66-year-old Barbara Kavars of Manly was found guilty Friday of 14 counts of animal neglect in connection with the operation of a puppy mill.

Prosecutors say Kavars was holding Samoyed dogs in inhumane conditions when officials raided her operation on Nov. 12 and took about 150 dogs. Court records say 17 dogs had fur matted by feces, skin conditions leading to fur loss, painful wounds, intestinal parasites and other maladies. One dog had to be euthanized.

Officials say the dogs’ kennels lacked food and had water containers filled with ice.

Kavars denied wrongdoing and testified she fed and gave water to the dogs every day.