With most of the approximately 250 dogs seized from a Buxton kennel in new homes, it appears the temporary crisis created by the August raid is near its end.

Unfortunately, it is clear dog breeders who mistreat animals continue to operate in this state. The state should use lessons learned from its August raid to prepare for future raids and seek more ways to stop the sale of dogs from puppy mills.

Meeting the demands of what has been called the largest animal seizure ever in Maine has required the work of hundreds of animal welfare workers and people who are willing to adopt these dogs, many of which have physical and behavioral problems as a result of their treatment and breeding.

After the raid, workers were set up at the kennel for weeks caring for the dogs. Taking care of the dogs after the raid was undoubtedly a logistical nightmare. Some of the dogs had to be moved off site for emergency medical treatment, while some of them were treated on site to make sure the giardia and sarcoptic mange did not spread. As the state waited on the courts to grant it legal custody of the dogs, officials had to work to find a place to shelter the dogs until they could be adopted, eventually securing space at Happy Tails in Portland.

Once the dogs were relocated, the state then had to find safe homes and prepare anyone interested in adoption for the problems dogs from the kennel might have. That could be anything from a mildly skittish dog to one with serious physical and emotional problems.

Tulip, one of the dogs adopted by Diana Locke, the owner of Paws Applause, is missing a toe, a leg and half her tail, as the result of her breeding. She has a weak skeleton because she was bred when she was younger than a year old. That’s why she had to have a leg amputated after she broke it jumping off a couch.

Tulip, a Papillon, also has emotional problems. She has separation anxiety. She was originally put in foster care because she was spinning in circles at the temporary kennel. She can’t stand being in her crate and isn’t housebroken. She’s chewed through her collar, leash and tags.

Locke calls Tulip the “spokesdog” against puppy mills. “You only breed dogs to better the breed,” she said. “People are paying thousands and thousands of dollars, and they’re getting Tulip’s offspring, which is pretty sad.”

It’s also sad that more dogs like Tulip are being bred and sold in the state. Just last week, the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office seized 65 dogs from a Somerville home, where a woman who had formerly been a licensed breeder was living. Authorities are considering possible criminal charges in that case. In the meantime, the owners of the Buxton kennel remain fugitives. Warrants were issued for John and Heidi Frasca after they failed to show up in court to answer multiple charges against them.

With the experience of the largest kennel raid behind it, the state should be more prepared for a large seizure. And, sadly, there probably will be more.

Brendan Moran, editor