30 emaciated dogs seized - Hibbing, MN

Tuesday, Jun 8, 2010

County: Saint Louis

Charges: Misdemeanor
Disposition: Alleged

Alleged:
» James A, Shuper
» Carol E. Shuper

Case Updates: 1 update(s) available

An anonymous tip led to the removal of more than two dozen dogs and one cat from a Hibbing residence on Tuesday.

A total of 30 canines and one cat were seized from the James and Carol Shuper home, located at 1525 16th Ave. E., and taken to the Hibbing Animal Shelter.

City ordinance states that urban residents may not have more than four dogs at a time.

It took animal control officers and law enforcement just more than three hours to round up and remove the animals -- many of which were emaciated and displaying other health concerns -- from the home.

At least three parties were bitten in the process, and one was taken to the hospital for treatment.

A veterinarian and shelter officials were expected to assess the condition of the animals Tuesday evening.

"This is something that you see on 'Animals Cops' or something like that. It's not something you expect to have here," said Alyssa Garcia, animal control officer for the city of Hibbing. "I know it's out there. It's just hard to believe until you live it."

Garcia said she received the tip Monday night and requested help from police in following the lead. She and Hibbing Police Cpt. Kathleen Cuffe visited the residence and discovered the dog hoarding.

"Just by knocking on the door, we could hear the dogs going crazy in the house," said Garcia. "We could tell there was a lot (in there). It sounded like a shelter."

They spoke with James Shuper, who admitted he had at least 20 dogs inside. They called for back-up -- more hands to help and more pet porters from the shelter.

"We got in there, and there were dogs everywhere," said Garcia. "Everywhere."

The dogs were running loose around the house. A number were found in the basement, where the floor was covered in a couple of inches of feces, they said.

"The smell of urine and ammonia were so bad, so overwhelming," said Cuffe. Those going in and out used breathing masks. "There was feces throughout the house. The wood floors were so soaked with urine that the floor buckled."

Garcia noted there were urine stains climbing the walls, where the dogs most likely simply lifting up their legs to relieve themselves. She said Shuper claimed he cleaned every day with bleach, but added that what she saw indicated otherwise.

"It was just disgusting," said Cuffe. "We had to get the animals out of that house because they can only have four and for their own welfare."

A large number of the dogs were emaciated and some were bloated, most likely due to worms from living in feces, said Garcia. All had overgrown nails and some showed signs of eye infections.

The dogs ranged in size from small to medium, with most being medium. Some of the dogs went willingly, while other were stressed or upset and put up a fight, said Garcia.

There is a variety of breeds. A number of them are a Chihuahua and terrier mix, she said.

In speaking with the homeowner, Garcia and Cuffe said Shuper said that he had accumulated the dogs for a variety reasons, including taking in unwanted pets, not wanting them to die and having no place to take them.

"He thought he was saving them. …He thought he was doing the right thing, but in return, it wasn't good," said Garcia.

"He may have had good intentions at one time, but nobody by themselves can handle over 30 dogs."

The matter remains under investigation. Charges are pending review by the city attorney.

Case Updates

A couple who allegedly housed 30 dogs at their home in Hibbing, faces charges in st. Louis county court. According to the complaint, 74â€"yearâ€"old James Shuper and, his wife, 72â€"yearâ€"old Carol Shuper each has 25 counts of animal mistreatment and 30 counts of animal neglect filed against them. In early June, police went to the Shuper's residence and discovered the dogs. Nearly all were emaciated. They say the stench of urine and feces was overwhelming. James told them that people had given him the dogs and they would die if he didn't care for them.

Source: fox21online.com - Nov 19, 2010 Update posted on Nov 21, 2010 - 9:55PM

References

• hibbingmn.com - Jun 9, 2010

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