Man withdraws application for commercial breeding facility near Westcliffe

A man who wanted to start a dog breeding operation near Westcliffe has withdrawn his application to open the facility.

Martin Troyer said the operation south of town would have had about 30 dogs.

Rescue groups and some residents opposed the facility saying they feared the dogs would be neglected and uncared for.

“My biggest concern is the welfare of the dogs,” said Peggy Kaveookjian, a dog rescue worker who lives in Custer County. “Any kind of breeding at this level, the breeder is just looking at it to make money,”

“I think the people here who are writing these articles would be insured that these animals would never be neglected. We would be a puppy business,” Troyer said. “People could come in and inspect the puppies.”