Law enforcement officers have taken 277 animals from a shed near Aurora. Thirteen hamsters, 45 rabbits. 216 guinea pigs. The owner of the shed, Dannis Franzen, has signed over ownership of the animals to the Humane Soceity of Missouri. A spokesman for the Humane Soceity says a veterinarian recommended the animals be seized from Franzen, who has been raising small animals and selling them to pet stores for several years. Franzen says he has taken care of the animals. And a veterinarian who inspected Franzen’s operations about ten days ago tells the Springfield News-Leader it’s inaccurate to refer to the animals as “sick and diseased.”
