Kennel neglect - 50 dogs left in extreme cold
Lakewood, CO (US)Incident Date: Wednesday, Dec 7, 2005
County: Jefferson
Disposition: Not Charged
Abuser names unreleased
A visit to an unlicensed animal shelter in Elbert County led to the relocation of nearly 50 dogs that were exposed to bitter cold and winds on December 7.
The animals - primarily Labrador retriever, chow and Australian shepherd mixes - were taken to the Dumb Friends League shelters in Denver and Castle Rock, said Kristina Vourax, spokeswoman for the shelter.
Most of the animals at both shelters will be put up for adoption today.
Members of the Colorado Bureau of Animal Protection, who visited the rural farm to review conditions and decide whether to grant a shelter license, found the dogs in a metal shed where the temperature inside was 10 degrees that morning, said Keith Roehr, a Lakewood veterinarian.
"We went out there to check on the conditions (at the shelter) with arctic weather conditions," Roehr said.
The owners, who officials would not name, had applied for a shelter license earlier this year.
Although food and water were available to the animals, Roehr said the heavy winds and freezing temperatures convinced officials to seize the dogs.
Faced with the decision of giving up the dogs or having them taken, the operators agreed to relinquish the animals to the state.
"We are pleased they cooperated," Roehr said, mentioning that the dogs were otherwise healthy.
Other animals, including some horses and pet dogs, were not in danger and were left at the farm, Roehr said.
Elbert County sheriff's deputies are investigating the incident.
"Extreme temperatures are extremely dangerous for animals," Vourax said. "Even ones that have thick, heavy coats can't live outside." References« CO State Animal Cruelty Map
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