Monmouth County SPCA
New Jersey (dBTechno) – 276 dogs were rescued from deplorable conditions inside a bi-level home in what authorities are calling “an extreme hoarding situation,” authorities said.
“Most of these dogs have never seen the outside of their house before,” said Ross Licitra, chief law enforcement officer for the Monmouth County Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. In all, 276 dogs were found inside the 1880-square-foot Bennett Road home, officials said.
It took about 15 hours for Monmouth County SPCA to safely remove all the dogs.
One dog was giving birth when animal rescue services arrived.
Many were located on book shelves and makeshift platforms; some were even inside the walls, reports AAP.Com.
“This is actually the worst hoarding case that we’ve ever experienced ever here in the history of Monmouth County,” he said.
The coulple said they started with just eight dogs, but things just got out of control.
According to Chron, criminal charges will be filed if there are dead or malnourished dogs. If the dogs are in good condition, the couple may face only a disorderly persons charge if anything.
With such a large undertaking the Monmouth County SPCA is asking for help. The group is seeking monetary donations to provide vaccinations, microchips, spay/neuter surgeries, food, shelter which they estimate will cost about $20 per day for each dog.
On Facebook, Monmouth County SPCA wrote:
We have started to make some progress in treating and evaluating the Howell hoarding dogs at our shelter out of the 276 seized. Our staff has been working around the clock to ensure every single dog is fed, comfortable and free of fear. We are so thankful for the outpouring of support and sense of community we have been able to feel over the last 2 days. As a non-profit shelter, we rely solely on private donations and need your help to provide the best possible standard of care.
You can donate here.
The group is also seeking shelter items like these on their wish list and foster homes for the dogs. People able to foster a dog should email Fostering@monmouthcountyspca.org.
While the dogs are not currently up for adoption, readers can keep updated on their status and availability on the Monmouth County Facebook page
Not enough information is provided in this article to say this is a “puppy mill” which would mean the homeowners were selling dogs. My guess would be that they are not, given the sheer number, and that the appear to be mixed breeds. This appears to be a hoarding situation, which is in fact a mental illness. A person loves animals, and believes they are doing right by them, but becomes completely incapable of of letting any go, and the number grows. It becomes overwhelming to the hoarder but they still believe that they are ok. That there were no dead animals found means little. 276 dogs inside of a home is irrrational, and extremely unhealthy for both animals and humans. There is no possible way that 2 people can properly care for that many dogs, even if conditions were good – meaning proper housing and access to outside facilities. “Fair condition” by animal control definition is bare minimum.
It is a sad and potentially dangerous situation for the animals and the people.
I hope that the animals are able to be rehabilitated, and that the couple gets help.