Photo courtesy of Guardians of Rescue
Guardians of Rescue is pleading for public support after nearly 250 dogs were found suffering from severe neglect and painful medical conditions at a rural Kentucky breeding operation.
The scene in a backyard in Breeding, Ky. was something that nobody wants to think about because it’s so deplorable and unhealthy for animals to live in. That’s what Guardians of Rescue found when they were given an address to investigate for possible animal cruelty. What they found was a much larger mess than they ever could have considered. One that has led to nearly 250 dogs being rescued from a life of misery and unhealthy conditions.
“We honestly couldn’t believe what we were witnessing when we saw the number of dogs at this disgusting property,” says Kelly Basham, critical case director at Guardians of Rescue. “This is the type of case that makes you sick to your stomach, but grateful that someone provided a tip to us so that we could step in and save these dogs.”
When they arrived to inquire about a tip they had received and to ask for the voluntary surrender of the dogs on the property, the owner stated there were 35 animals there. As the team began rounding up the dogs, they found more and more in different areas of the property. When they were done rescuing dogs, they had nearly 250 of them that they needed to get veterinary care and homes for.
The animals were part of a horrific backyard breeding business that was keeping the dogs living in deplorable conditions. There was an overwhelming odor from urine and feces, and the dogs were clearly not being cared for. Many suffered from visible signs of sickness, mange, skin irritation, hair loss, painful itching, eye infections, dental issues, unsafe tail docking, and more. Sadly, one dog had something wrapped tightly around its torso that had been there so long it was growing into its skin, causing severe injury to where the dog’s penis was painfully exposed down to the bone. Another dog’s teeth were falling out due to dental neglect. Other dogs suffered from horrible respiratory conditions, severely overgrown nails, urine scalding, embedded injuries, and a variety of other painful medical conditions.
Guardians of Rescue reports seeing a troubling increase in large scale animal neglect, hoarding and irresponsible breeding cases across the country. The organization is increasingly being called to situations where dozens, and sometimes hundreds, of animals are found living in overcrowded and unsanitary conditions without adequate veterinary care. Rescue cases of this magnitude can quickly overwhelm local shelters and animal welfare resources, making tips from the public and support from rescue organizations critical to intervening before conditions become even worse.
“This is not an isolated problem,” said Basham. “We are seeing more situations across the country where large numbers of animals are living in conditions that no animal should have to endure. By the time someone speaks up, the situation may have grown from a handful of animals to dozens or even hundreds. We need people to report what they see because that one call or tip can save lives.”
The animals were immediately rescued and provided with necessary veterinary care. They are being nursed back to health, and then healthy home situations will be found for each of them. It is clear that the dogs suffered for an extended period of time and need a lot of care and patience to help them restore their health, if that is possible.
“We will take every measure to ensure that animal cruelty charges are brought against these people who did this to these poor animals,” continues Basham. “We have a lot of work cut out for us with nearly 250 dogs and appreciate any support we can get from people to help with their care. This is a huge undertaking, and we need animal lovers to help see it through.”
To get more information and make a donation to support the Breeding, Ky., dog rescue efforts, visit the site at: https://guardiansofrescue.
Guardians of Rescue provides various services to help save animals, reunite people and pets, investigate animal cruelty cases, and offer disaster response assistance, such as in the aftermath of hurricanes. Their work has impacted people and animals around the world. They can only continue their work through the generosity of those who donate to support the cause. To get more information or make a donation, visit the site at www.guardiansofrescue.org.
About Guardians of Rescue
Headquartered in New York, Guardians of Rescue is an organization whose mission is to protect the well-being of all animals. It aids animals in distress, including rehabilitation, assists other rescue groups, and supports families, both military and non-military, who need assistance due to economic factors. To learn more about Guardians of Rescue, visit the site at www.guardiansofrescue.org.
Source:
Brazilian Journal of Psychiatry. Animal hoarding: a systemic review. August 2023. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/
