Permanent, loving homes are being sought for dozens of dogs removed from the Safe Harbor Doberman and Min Pin Rescue Shelter at Brightwood.
�We need homes now,� Amanda K. Spies said Monday. �We need people to step up and provide homes. They are good, friendly dogs who have a lot to give.�
A total of 67 dogs � 54 adults and 13 puppies � were seized March 1 from Carol Powell�s shelter at 2206 1/2 Herbert St. SE, New Philadelphia. Spies, who as county prosecutor assisted in obtaining a search warrant to seize the dogs and remove them from the shelter, has remained involved as an animal lover, not in her official capacity.
The dogs may be adopted by contacting Karen Slough, county dog warden, at (330) 339-2616.
Two of the adult dogs have died, Spies said. One died of starvation and the other had to be euthanized because of its poor condition. One of the puppies also died of starvation shortly after the seizure.
"The littlest puppy � about the same size as her brother who died � is still fighting to stay alive,� Spies said. �We named her Mercy, because it�s only because of God�s mercy that she�s still alive. Her sister, who is a little larger, we call Goodness.�
Spies said she initially thought a court hearing would have to be held regarding the seizure of the dogs. However, the seizure was permanent, according to Ohio law, and the dogs are in the county dog warden�s custody, she said.
�They are doing better,� Spies said. �They are very loving. Their dispositions have changed. There is none of the viciousness I saw on Thursday. When I feed them, all I do is get licked.�
Community members, law enforcement officers and members of the Tuscarawas Valley Kennel Club have donated countless hours to help care for the animals, Spies said. And they have until March 14 to find permanent homes for the animals.
After March 14, she said, the dogs will be sent to the county dog pound, where they eventually will be destroyed if they are not adopted. Some of the dogs are wearing collars and tags, and their owners can retrieve them if they can show ownership.
Spies said veterinarians Drew Yosick and Dale Duerr spent two hours Saturday examining the dogs and puppies and giving them medications. She said the men also will provide wormer and a medication for heartworms, fleas and mange.
The adult dogs are fed twice daily, and 100 pounds of feed were used during one feeding session at an undisclosed location. Agland Co-Op and Wal-Mart have donated dog food, Spies said. She said there is enough food for the remainder of this week.
She continues to care for some of the puppies at her residence, while others are being cared for by friends.
�Some of them have obvious attack wounds,� Spies said. �Some are obviously starving. Others have significant skin conditions, which are treatable. Some are in great shape. All are hungry and thirsty.
�Some are not eating, and time will take its course with them. They need food, water, love and a good bath.�
The seizure of the dogs came after an nearly week-long investigation into what Powell reported as the torturing and killing of two of her dogs. Deputies said the dogs killed each other as they fought for an insufficient amount of food.
Powell maintains someone broke into her dog pens and killed and mutilated the dogs� bodies despite a veterinarian�s statements that the dogs died of severe bite wounds.
Any criminal charges filed in connection with the investigation will be misdemeanors and will come from the New Philadelphia city prosecutor�s office. Neighborhood MapFor more information about the Interactive Animal Cruelty Maps, see the map notes.
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