Dozens of dogs were rescued from a home north of Chicago where they were found matted and covered in feces.
The dogs were found at a home in Glencoe, Illinois after police were called to do a well-being check, according to a report by Chicago Tribune. Reports indicate that officials found somewhere between 35 and 40 dogs in the home.
A neighbor reportedly said crews were on scene at the home for nine hours on Thursday, May 14 and four hours on Friday, May 15.
About 30 dogs, which were between two and five years old, were taken to the Glencoe Animal Hospital, according to the report. Veterinarian and owner, Sara Grogman said the dogs’ eyes and ears were not visible until the feces and matted fur was removed.
"The smell of one dog was horrendous," Grogman said, according to Chicago Tribune. "I can't imagine what the house smelled like."
The dogs were scared and not comfortable with humans according to Grogman. In addition, she said they were walking “like they were on a hot plate.”
Grogman noted that it looked like the dogs had been fed, but they had severe infections that caused many of them to lose their ear tips and tails. Five of the dogs were euthanized because they were either too sick or very aggressive.
Some of the dogs have been sent to nonprofit, no-kill shelter Tails of Hope. The founder, Kelly Moyer, said she and her staff will work to find foster and forever homes for the dogs, though it will be months before they are ready for adoption.
There is a GoFundMe page set up for the shelter. If you would like to help the shelter, click here.
Public records show that the home was recently sold by a 65-year-old woman, according to the report. Chicago Tribune reported that no charges have been filed.
