Updated: Animals Removed From Eagle Pet Center in Shakopee

Updated Tuesday 3:10 p.m.

Between 75 to 100 animals were removed from Eagle Pet Center, said Tim Shields with the Minnesota Federated Humane Societies. The total includes rabbits, fish and rodents.

All the fish will go to the Aquatictropics Aquarium Center in Crystal. The other animals will go to different humane societies in Minnesota, Shields said. It will take some time before the veterinarians will have a firm grasp on the condition of the animals, he added.

Shakopee Police Chief Jeff Tate noted that the department has investigated Eagle Pet Center for a number of years and the family of Owner Ed Dressen had recently stepped in to deal with the situation. Nothing in the store had reached the criminal threshold, Tate said.

Updated Tuesday at 2:40 p.m.

Humane agents removed all animals from Eagle Pet Center in Shakopee on Tuesday, said Tim Shields, from the Minnesota Federated Humane Societies.

The federation had been in contact with Ed Dressen, the owner of the store, and his family for the last 48 to 24 hours, said Tim Shields, who works at the organization.

He continued, “We were going to get a search warrant, but Mr. Dressen agreed to sign a surrender of the animals to MHS [Minnesota Humane Society].” 

Agents removed rats and five rabbits from the store, Dressen said.

Not only are there no more animals at the store currently, but as part of the signed contract, Dressen may not obtain any more animals for his store except the federation give him written approval to do so. To obtain approval, agents with the society would inspect the store with a veterinarian to ensure safe conditions, Shields explained.

Shields said he was stunned by the conditions in the store. He described the ceiling that is falling apart and standing in water with extension cords on the ground. The electricity was out, but Shields noted that it could have been a dangerous situation for the public. 

For his part, Dressen said that he was fine with giving up the animals.

“Less work,” he said with a laugh. 

He added that there are plenty of stores that only sell supplies, such as Chuck and Don’s Pet Food Outlet. He thought that his store would be fine.

“I’ve been in business 42 years,” he said. 

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