FLEMINGTON, N.J.—Roughly 200 dogs have been rescued from what authorities say was a “massive hoarding situation” at a New Jersey home.
Law enforcement officers and animal welfare groups went to the Hunterdon County home on June 11 to remove the dogs. Officials said the animals seemed to have had limited human contact and minimal to no veterinary care.
Many of the dogs were pregnant and/or had “masses and infections.”
The specific location of the home was not disclosed.
Monmouth County SPCA said it worked with another animal shelter to rescue the 188 dogs that were living in dirty conditions at the home and in other buildings on the site. The rescue workers also found 20 dead dogs in the freezer at the location, reported the news broadcaster.
"All of these dogs seem to have had limited human contact and minimal to no veterinary care," Monmouth County SPCA said in a statement, which was accompanied by photos of the dogs.
Officials say all of the animals will need of vaccinations and will be dewormed, microchipped, and spayed or neutered. The dogs were found in the home and in other buildings at the site.
Authorities haven’t identified the property owner or said whether anyone will face charges in the matter.
Similar Case
In a similar case, a woman in Pennsylvania faces two years on probation after pleading guilty to six counts of animal cruelty charges for debarking her dogs.Additionally, Beiler is prohibited from owning, possessing, or having any dogs in her control or custody, and is not allowed to perform any work involving the care of dogs, according to the authorities.
Beiler had obtained the services of formerly licensed Iowa veterinarian, Denise Felling, to debark the dogs, according to the Lancaster County District Attorney's Office.
The debarking process involves "shoving a rod-like object into the dogs' vocal chambers," according to the Lancaster County District Attorney's Office. The manner in which Felling did the "debarking procedures was illegal," according to authorities.
Felling was also charged and pleaded guilty, officials said. Felling was sentenced up to 23 months in prison and released on credit for time served, according to Lancaster Online. Authorities said Felling told Beiler she was a veterinarian but never obtained a license in Pennsylvania. According to officials, her license in Iowa was revoked.