MCDONALD COUNTY, Mo. – The Humane Society of Missouri (HSMO) rescues 21 dogs in severe condition in McDonald County.
According to HSMO, the licensed breeder didn’t allow state inspectors on the property for more than a year. The Missouri Department of Agriculture then got a court order for immediate and unrestricted access to the facility.
The state inspectors went to the facility and found cause to return and remove the animals. They worked with the McDonald County Sheriff’s Office and the HSMO Animal Cruelty Task Force, which went to the property on Wednesday, July 28, 2021.
Authorities got a warrant to search and rescue. The Animal Cruelty Task Force safely removed the dogs from outside kennels and an inside shelter. They rescued breeds including Boxer, Chihuahua, Yorkshire Terrier, and others.
Conditions of the Dogs
The Humane Society of Missouri states, “The rescued dogs have varying Body Condition Scores (BCS), including at least three with a BCS of 1 on a scale of 1 to 10. Unfortunately, evidence of several deceased dogs whose remains were disposed of recently, and one dog that died hours before rescuers arrived, were found on the property. The surviving animals arrived at HSMO’s St. Louis City headquarters at 11:45 p.m. yesterday. Today HSMO will begin triaging each dog, and they will receive professional and compassionate veterinary care and rehabilitation. As the animals recover and are eventually deemed healthy, HSMO hopes to make as many as possible available for adoption.”
“These dogs have been living in horrific conditions; the breeder’s neglect is inhumane and utterly reprehensible,” said Kathy Warnick, president of the Humane Society of Missouri. “Thankfully, our Animal Cruelty Task Force was able to act swiftly to rescue these abused animals from their appalling situation and bring them to safety.”
Contact Information for the Public
If you want to report an animal who may be in danger or is suffering from neglect or abuse, call the local police and the Humane Society of Missouri’s Animal Cruelty Hotline at (314) 647-4400.
Donations: 314-951-1542
Humane Society of Missouri website: www.hsmo.org
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