ST. LOUIS (AP) — The Humane Society of Missouri has rescued 31 dogs from what officials call “filthy” conditions at a home in west-central Missouri’s Benton County.
Thirty of the dogs are small mixed-breed, and one is a Labrador retriever. They were removed Thursday, Jan. 5, and taken to the Humane Society headquarters in St. Louis for treatment.
The Humane Society says nine dead dogs were found in the home, and it appeared the living dogs may have fed on the dead ones.
Several of the dogs are undernourished and some are missing eyes. The Humane Society says many have eye and ear infections and suffer from parasites.
“Obviously, these poor dogs have been suffering for a long time,” said Kathy Warnick, president of the Humane Society of Missouri.
“Our first priority is for their safety, health and well-being. Our expert staff will do everything we can to rehabilitate them and find them the loving homes they deserve. In addition, our ACT will continue to investigate and develop evidence in this case toward recommending prosecution to the fullest extent of the law to the Benton County Sheriff’s Department and Prosecutor’s Office.”
The owner agreed to surrender the dogs to the Humane Society. It wasn’t clear if he will face criminal charges.
