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Case #12622 Rating: 2.7 out of 5
Rescue neglect - 60 dogs seized, 24 more dead
Centerville, PA (US)Incident Date: Tuesday, Nov 6, 2007
County: Washington
Charges: Misdemeanor
Disposition: Convicted
Defendant/Suspect: Lore Massey
Case Updates: 2 update(s) available
Police and humane officers raided a kennel at a home in Centerville, Washington County, and said they found dozens of dead dogs on Tuesday evening.
Animal control officers said there were dogs in cages inside and outside Calico Creek Critters Rescue, and even in a nearby incinerator.
They said the total number was 24 dead and approximately 60 alive, many of which were sick.
One officer described it as a concentration camp for dogs.
"In the basement, there were approximately 38 dogs alive, we don't have an exact count. And at least five dead dogs in the basement," said Vickie Schmalzride, a humane officer.
Another officer said the look in the living dogs' eyes seemed to be a plea to be rescued.
"It was a pretty bad situation. There was feces everywhere, too many animals in pens, and no water available. There was only one pen outside that had food available," said humane officer Lorie Schooley.
Schooley said one of the dogs rescued died overnight. Others seem happy and healthy and are undergoing evaluations.
The owner of the house, Lore Massey, voluntarily gave up the dogs to the humane society, where, if healthy, they'll be put up for adoption.
Massey said she never mistreated the animals.
"I'm just totally shocked," she said. "I've done nothing wrong except try and help animals that would have died without my help."
Massey did not want her face shown and said she now fears for her life.
"I've got death threats this morning and last night, and I had someone call last evening threatening to burn my house down, and all I did was try and help as many animals as I could," she said.
According to its Web site, Calico Creek Critters Rescue attempts to rescue unwanted dogs.
Humane officers had obtained a search warrant after they got a complaint from a man who said he went there to adopt and was appalled by the conditions.
When investigators got there, they said they found decomposing dogs in garbage cans and cages, and bones in a burn pile in the back yard.
Officers said Massey's operation did try to rescue unwanted dogs, and breed others, but they said she got in way over her head and couldn't care for them all.
"She was a woman trying to do a good thing who became overwhelmed with the situation, and she just became overcrowded, just way too many animals for her to care for," said Schooley.
"Certainly I did have too many," said Massey. "I would get calls from the pound asking for my help for dogs that were going to be put to sleep and if I didn't take them, they would be put to sleep."
This is the second time in as many years that the owner of the breeding operation will be cited for neglect. The first charge was dismissed in 2006.
At this point the Washington Area Humane Society said they are going to do everything they can to make sure Massey faces charges in relation to the situation.
Case UpdatesA Washington County woman accused of causing the deaths of up to 30 dogs by keeping them in deplorable conditions has pleaded guilty to three counts of animal cruelty and five other dog law violations, including operating an unlicensed kennel.
Lore Massey, the owner of Calico Creek Critters Rescue shelter at her home in Centerville, was fined $1,250 and ordered to submit to monthly, unannounced inspections by state dog wardens to ensure she does not own more than three dogs, the Department of Agriculture announced Thursday.
Officers from the Washington Area Humane Society and state dog wardens found between 20 and 30 dead dogs in various states of decomposition when they went to the kennel in November. Seventy-two other dogs were found living in the house.
Massey, who could not be reached for comment, previously acknowledged having too many dogs but said she was only guilty of loving them too much.
"All of them were going to be euthanized. ... All of these dogs would have been dead if not for me," said Massey, who suffers from debilitating rheumatoid arthritis.
Jessie Smith, the state's special deputy secretary for dog law enforcement, said any kennel with more than 26 dogs per year must be licensed and inspected annually.
"Animal-hoarding situations can be difficult to investigate because the owners are often in denial about the severity of the conditions or the presence of cruelty," Smith said. | Source: Pittsburgh Tribune-Review - March 5, 2008
Update posted on Mar 7, 2008 - 1:15AM |
Some of the dogs that humane officers said were rescued from deplorable conditions on a property with many dog carcasses are going up for adoption.
Humane officers said they found two-dozen dogs dead and more than 50 that were lucky to be alive last week at Calico Creek Critters Rescue in Centerville, Washington County.
Animal control officers said there were dogs in cages inside and outside of the rescue, and even in a nearby incinerator.
For now, the White Oak Animal Safe Haven has taken the rescued animals in. They'll be spayed or neutered and checked for any medical conditions this week before being ready for adoption.
"They haven't been loved by humans and touched by humans, so all they need is a little work, and they'll come around," said Ida Martin of White Oak Animal Safe Haven.
For adoption information, visit www.petfinder.com/shelters/woanimalshelter.html.
Lori Massey, the owner of the house where the dogs were found, voluntarily gave up the animals to the humane society.
Massey said she never mistreated the dogs. She faces animal cruelty charges. | Source: WTAE via Yahoo News - Nov 12, 2007
Update posted on Nov 13, 2007 - 4:02AM |
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