In South Carolina, local animal advocates rescued 30 dogs from a home, where they were living in “deplorable conditions”.
On Thursday afternoon, Dorchester Paws seized the dogs from a house in their namesake county, reported WCSC 5. According to Danielle Zuck, a spokesperson for the shelter, they found the dogs living in their own filth. Disturbingly, Zuck said they found the dogs locked in crates, tied to trees with heavy chains, and placed in crates that were too small for them. Some of the dogs were also in the end-stage of heartworm disease. As a result, most of the dogs needed urgent medical attention. To this end, Dorchester Paws is currently working to help the dogs as they arrive at the shelter.
Dogs rescued from an unsafe home
However, Zuck also said the shelter needs the community’s help caring for the dogs. Since the shelter doesn’t have enough space for all the dogs, they’re urgently seeking emergency fosters to help them.
“We do not want any animal to be living in a pop-up crate,” Zuck said. “Fosters are needed for as long as they can commit.”
Additionally, the shelter is waiving adoption fees for dogs that have been at the shelter for over 15 days.
Incredibly, the rescue happened after the Dorchester County Sheriff’s Office received a call from animal control asking for an escort to a nearby home. Upon arriving, officers saw the dire state of the animals living there. As a result, they presented the resident with a warrant and detained them. Afterward, Animal Control called Dorchester Paws to assist in the rescue. For now, the investigation is ongoing. Additionally, the sheriff’s office is planning to release more information as it becomes available.
A growing concern for dog owners nationwide
Because of groups like Dorchester Paws, many dogs living in substandard conditions and facing unnecessary danger are being given a second chance. Last year, for example, the Humane Society of the United States launched an incredible effort to rescue 4,000 Beagles from a breeding facility in Virginia.
Similarly, in the UK the RSPCA rescued 150 Shih Tzus from another unsanitary, unsafe breeding facility. Importantly, these scenarios bring to light the questionable ethics of dog breeding and are promoting many states to pass laws banning the sale of commercially-bred puppies.
