58 Dogs, 5 Horses Killed in Blaze at Missouri Breeding Facility

Dozens of dogs and several horses were killed in a fire that destroyed a puppy-breeding facility near Frankford, in northeast Missouri on Feb. 8.

Frankford Fire Chief John Butler said the fire killed 58 dogs and five horses at Gary and Carol Hays’ property. He said the animals were inside a 40 foot by 60 foot machine shed turned into a kennel and stables.

Owner Carol Hays said she and her husband heard an explosion and ran outside to see the building in flames. They tried to save the horses but were pushed back by the fire.

Butler said the roof had collapsed by the time his crew arrived.

The cause of the blaze is unknown.

Hays said the couple had bred dogs for 20 years, but would give up their Country Lane Kennel business.

The Missouri Department of Agriculture said its last inspection of the licensed breeding facility in November showed no violations.