Suspected puppy mill owner withdraws permit

WASHINGTON – She denied she was running a puppy mill.

Now the operator of a Fauquier County kennel has withdrawn an application to operate, but that doesn’t mean she’s given up.

A lawyer for Irina Barrett, who breeds dogs under the name Canis Maximus, told a zoning appeals board Thursday that his client will reapply to operate the kennel at her Broad Run home.

Barrett came under withering criticism by neighbors and animal welfare workers for operating a kennel they called a puppy mill for three years without a permit. She may still be subject to zoning board action since she was operating without zoning approval.

At a hearing in February, Barrett denied the allegations that she was running a puppy mill. Her websites advertised Great Danes, Boxers and Dobermans. She was also selling French Bulldogs.

WTOP’s Kate Ryan contributed to this report. Follow @KateRyanWTOP and @WTOP on Twitter.

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