More than 200 dogs removed from Metcalfe Co. property

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METCALFE COUNTY, Ky. (WNKY) — An estimated 244 dogs were removed from a property on Breeding Road beginning July 29 after rescuers discovered what they described as a suspected large-scale backyard breeding operation where animals were living with extensive medical problems.

Guardians of Rescue removed 227 of the dogs during the three-day operation, according to Kelly Basham, the organization’s director of operations and investigations. The remaining dogs were removed by the Metcalfe County Animal Shelter and other organizations involved in the response.

Rescuers found dogs throughout the property

Basham said the first signs of the situation emerged before her team reached the house. The property was overgrown, the gravel driveway was washed out and the home could not be seen from the road.

“The smell was the very first thing, obviously, and the number of dogs that were barking,” Basham said. “When we walked up to the actual property where the house was, just dogs were everywhere. They were just — they were everywhere. I mean, there are so many that you can’t even count them because of all the movement.”

Rescuers initially expected to find between 50 and 75 dogs. Basham said that estimate continued to rise as crews moved through the property.

“It’s just very overwhelming at first because you don’t really know how many there are,” she said. “The number just kept growing and growing and growing.”

Dogs suffered from widespread medical problems

Basham said every dog found on the property had mange, an eye infection and parasites. Rescuers also documented sores, urine scald, flea and tick infestations and respiratory problems.

“I can tell you that every single dog on the property had mange — everyone across the board,” Basham said. “We saw dogs that had scabs and sores all over their body, urine scald on their paw pads, urine scald on their bellies.”

Some puppies had lost all of their hair because of mange, she said. Several dogs were pregnant.

One dog had a large wound around its torso and genital area that rescuers believed had been caused by something tied tightly around its body. Another dog was struggling to breathe and was later found to have an upper respiratory infection.

Basham said rescuers also found a puppy with severe abnormalities in its legs. Although the property owner reportedly believed the animal had been caught in a live trap, Basham said a veterinarian determined the condition was an abnormality associated with poor breeding.

“The conditions are just bad, and it’s sad that these dogs had to live like this and they had to suffer like this because they didn’t deserve that,” Basham said. “It’s very apparent when you look at these dogs that something was wrong with them, but the owner just didn’t get care for them.”

Why rescuers suspect a breeding operation

Basham said a Facebook page associated with the family had been used to advertise a breeding kennel. She said the woman who previously operated the kennel died several months ago and the dogs were left in the care of her daughter, who continued the operation.

Basham said she believed the number of dogs increased rapidly because many had not been spayed or neutered.

“When you’ve got 50 or 60 dogs that are unaltered, the number can grow very quickly,” Basham said. “And that’s what’s happened.”

Three-day removal required additional crews and equipment

Basham said crews arrived with enough carriers to handle the original estimate but had to obtain more as the number of dogs grew. The washed-out driveway also forced rescuers to carry animals and equipment up and down a large hill.

“It took a lot of manpower to get this done,” she said.

Once the dogs reached a staging area, teams photographed and examined each animal from head to tail. Basham said the work continued after the final dog left the property.

“It’s around the clock,” she said. “It doesn’t stop. Just because the dogs are off the property, it doesn’t stop.”

Treatment required before dogs can enter homes

The dogs were transferred to Guardians of Rescue and several partner organizations for continued care. Basham said the animals must be treated for parasites, mange, infections and other medical conditions before they can be placed in foster or adoptive homes.

Some of the parasites found in the dogs can also spread to people, she said. The animals must be cleared of those infections before they can safely enter homes.

Basham said the property owner voluntarily surrendered the dogs after being told authorities could seek a warrant. She said surrendering the animals does not prevent authorities from pursuing possible criminal charges.

“I’m not gonna stop until this person is held accountable,” Basham said. “She needs to be made an example of.”

Basham said she intends to follow the case and continue pushing for accountability.

Rescue work continues

Guardians of Rescue is accepting monetary donations and supplies through its website, Facebook page and Amazon wish list. Basham also encouraged people to share information about the case and research breeders before purchasing an animal.

“People need to know who they’re supporting and who they’re buying puppies from because not every breeder is a good breeder,” Basham said. “These dogs didn’t deserve to live like this.”

She said the operation has taken a physical and emotional toll on the rescue team, but its work is continuing.

“It’s been a rough few days for my team,” Basham said. “I can say that we are all exhausted, but we haven’t stopped, and we won’t stop.”