Mar 31, 2007 12:24 pm US/Central
Investigators Seize 60 Dogs From Farm
by Bridgette Bornstein
(WCCO)
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Friday night each dog got checked over, got shots and now each one has a chance for a fresh start and a happier life. (File)
CBS
Investigators seized 60 dogs from what they describe as deplorable conditions.
The animals were on a farm in Jackson County near the Iowa border. They're mostly labs, trained as hunting dogs.
"This was very, very deplorable environment for any animal, let alone a dog," said Animal Humane Society Cruelty Investigator Keith Streff.
The 60 dogs are at the Animal Humane Society in Golden Valley, and they had an exhausting and frightening day Friday.
In the afternoon investigators served a warrant on a farm. They found two dead dogs, along with all of the others, stuffed into tight quarters -- three outbuildings -- with no fresh water and filth, smell and some of the most unsanitary conditions imaginable.
"It feels good that we got them, but I know there's still many more out there," said Julie Mathews of the Animal Humane Society.
The owner has not yet been charged, but the cruelty investigator plans to push for felony charges. It's a commercial breeder that trained the animals as hunting dogs. Investigators said the man clearly didn't keep up with all the work it takes to properly care for so many animals at once.
Friday night each dog got checked over, got shots and now each one has a chance for a fresh start and a happier life.
"It's really hard -- it's really emotional. These dogs have not been cared for so ... all of us that want to help the dogs, it makes us really sad," said Holly Lang of the Animal Humane Society. "They're here now and they're going to be well-cared for and we're going to try to get them into new permanent homes. That's the goal."
The good news is that about two-thirds of the dogs are young, so they'll have a pretty good chance to recover.
The dogs will probably be up for adoption within about two weeks.
The dog have to be thoroughly examined and tested to make sure they're not aggressive, but as soon as they're ready for new homes, they'll go on the Animal Humane Society's Web site.
(© MMVII, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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