Unfortunately, it happens. I worked as a board member and also was an active rescuer for Border Animal Rescue of Bisbee, Az..

We did our best to find homes for animals that were able to be re-homed, most of the time, the sickly and unadoptable were put to sleep. And the animals do become a number, statistic, and what not- it is hard. We always advocated spay/nueter for pets because of this reason. Uncontrolled pet breeding is a problem we face daily. This story you found is a good example of the reality of what happens to pets when they end up in animal shelters. Yes, it is shocking, another good reason to spay/nueter/or not breed at all. Stories like the one you found, is an example of several stories I had to publish in the paper to try and make someone aware of what was happeneing, to try and get owners to be more responsible, or even boost adoptions.

All I can say- get the word out, spay/nueter/or dont breed at all, because it is the animals who suffer for us humans thoughtless ways.