Rescued pups begin recovery process
GOLD BAR, Wash. -- It may be months before the 155 dogs who were found living in ghastly conditions in a puppy mill operation can be adopted.
Cleaning just one heavily matted puppy can take hours. More than a hundred dogs with special needs overwhelmed the staff at the Everett Animal Clinic on Monday.
"They need a good scrub and some nails trimmed, given a chance to feel what it's like to be clean," said Shannon Delgado of the clinic. "It's a non-stop process, and my staff is really exhausted. But we're working really hard to keep'em nice and clean."
A citizen's tip led officials to the residence in the 43000 block of May Creek Road where they found many of the dogs stuffed inside small crates and pens overflowing with urine and feces. The conditions were so horrific that it shocked even veteran animal control officers, officials said.
Investigators said the puppy mill is connected to a licensed kennel called Wags and Wiggles near Snohomish. Deputies raided the kennel as well.
No one has been arrested or charged in the case, but the animals have been rescued.
Several dead puppies also were found in a freezer, and two dead dogs were found elsewhere on the premises, investigators said. Eighty-seven of the dogs were living in a converted attic.
Adult dogs and puppies were found living in crates and small pens filled with large accumulations of feces and heavily soiled shavings, said Vicki Lubrin of Snohomish County Animal Control Services.
Officers said the odor from the feces and urine was so overpowering it could be detected well outside the residence. A large commercial dumpster stood in the yard overflowing with dog waste.
Medications and used syringes, used to treat sick animals, were found scattered in front of pens and in a refrigerator.
Most of the dogs were heavily matted, covered with their own feces and saturated with urine. Investigators said many dogs had open sores on various parts of their bodies and all were covered with fleas. Several dogs had tumors and other abnormal body conditions.
Officers found a variety of small breed dogs: Yorkshire terriers, rat terriers, West Highland terriers, Chinese crested, pugs, dachshunds, Pekingese and mixed breeds sold as "designer dogs."
Also found were six large dogs - a Labrador and Doberman tightly squeezed together in one crate, a Rottweiler, a mastiff and two boxers.
Altogether, officials found 155 dogs, four cats and three parrots - all living in inhumane conditions.
All day Monday, local dog lovers dropped off donations of pet food and supplies at the animal clinic.
"We have two dogs of our own, and most of our dogs have come from a shelter. So we wanted to bring food here to make sure the dogs are well fed. We know they are well cared for," said said Nadine Carter.
When the shelter ran out of clean towels, KOMO News contacted Service Linen Supply, who dropped off 300 donated towels. KOMO News also handed the clinic a $500 gift card to Fred Meyer for any additional supplies it may need.
Cleaning just one heavily matted puppy can take hours. More than a hundred dogs with special needs overwhelmed the staff at the Everett Animal Clinic on Monday.
"They need a good scrub and some nails trimmed, given a chance to feel what it's like to be clean," said Shannon Delgado of the clinic. "It's a non-stop process, and my staff is really exhausted. But we're working really hard to keep'em nice and clean."
A citizen's tip led officials to the residence in the 43000 block of May Creek Road where they found many of the dogs stuffed inside small crates and pens overflowing with urine and feces. The conditions were so horrific that it shocked even veteran animal control officers, officials said.
Investigators said the puppy mill is connected to a licensed kennel called Wags and Wiggles near Snohomish. Deputies raided the kennel as well.
No one has been arrested or charged in the case, but the animals have been rescued.
Several dead puppies also were found in a freezer, and two dead dogs were found elsewhere on the premises, investigators said. Eighty-seven of the dogs were living in a converted attic.
Adult dogs and puppies were found living in crates and small pens filled with large accumulations of feces and heavily soiled shavings, said Vicki Lubrin of Snohomish County Animal Control Services.
Officers said the odor from the feces and urine was so overpowering it could be detected well outside the residence. A large commercial dumpster stood in the yard overflowing with dog waste.
Medications and used syringes, used to treat sick animals, were found scattered in front of pens and in a refrigerator.
Most of the dogs were heavily matted, covered with their own feces and saturated with urine. Investigators said many dogs had open sores on various parts of their bodies and all were covered with fleas. Several dogs had tumors and other abnormal body conditions.
Officers found a variety of small breed dogs: Yorkshire terriers, rat terriers, West Highland terriers, Chinese crested, pugs, dachshunds, Pekingese and mixed breeds sold as "designer dogs."
Also found were six large dogs - a Labrador and Doberman tightly squeezed together in one crate, a Rottweiler, a mastiff and two boxers.
Altogether, officials found 155 dogs, four cats and three parrots - all living in inhumane conditions.
All day Monday, local dog lovers dropped off donations of pet food and supplies at the animal clinic.
"We have two dogs of our own, and most of our dogs have come from a shelter. So we wanted to bring food here to make sure the dogs are well fed. We know they are well cared for," said said Nadine Carter.
When the shelter ran out of clean towels, KOMO News contacted Service Linen Supply, who dropped off 300 donated towels. KOMO News also handed the clinic a $500 gift card to Fred Meyer for any additional supplies it may need.