ST. LOUIS (KTVI/CNN) - Twenty-seven dogs are now in the care of the Humane Society of Missouri after they were rescued from a suspected former breeder. Officials said 18 of the dogs were living outside with only barns and a horse trailer for shelter. Nine dogs were living inside the home.
The animals range in age from 6-week-old puppies to elderly adult dogs. An anonymous tip led the humane society’s Animal Cruelty Task Force to the Bates County property.
“This was a very bad situation,” said Rick Smith of the Humane Society of Missouri. “These animals had been in the environment for years. It’s just that one phone call that we got made a difference for these dogs."
Smith’s colleague Kathy Warnick said if no one had called, the dogs may have remained in horrific conditions all winter and that small breeds like terriers seldom survive such harsh weather on their own.
The dogs’ owners said they could not properly care for the dogs because of personal and health issues. They agreed to surrender them to the humane society. Since all the dogs were Yorkshire terriers, the owners are suspected breeders.
The dogs will be medically treated and cared for until they fully recover. Then, they’ll be available for adoption.
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