More than 100 hoarded dogs rescued from Ross home

More than 100 dogs were rescued from a woman’s home Wednesday night in Ross, where the owner had hoarded the animals, some of which are “emaciated” and needed immediate medical attention, a humane association said.

Animal Friends of Pittsburgh’s medical staff, including a veterinarian and veterinarian technicians, went to the home, where the dogs were triaged before being taken to the Animal Friends shelter in Ohio Township, the organization said in a statement.

The final count was 117 dogs, mostly Australian Shepherd mixes. The staff found puppies in the house, as well as what Animal Friends described as elderly dogs.

Representatives from Animal Friends were unable to get inside the house until Wednesday, but discovered the odor of ammonia so strong that they could not enter the house without wearing a breathing mask. The local fire department and emergency management services team were at the house, Animal Friends said.

The woman, who was not identified, has voluntarily surrendered the dogs to Animal Friends, the organization said. She had been charged in a 2008 animal rescue situation as a result of hoarding pets.

This is honestly one of the most unbelievable things I’ve seen in my television career. Over 100 dogs have now been taken out of this deplorable home. We’ve been watching them carried out with so much love and compassion, hoping for a second chance at a dog’s life. @WPXI pic.twitter.com/JqmZyI6sda

— Amy Hudak (@amy_hudak) September 12, 2019

Animal Friends is holding a fundraiser on its Facebook page. As of Thursday morning, about $6,000 has been raised for the dogs’ care.

Shannon Clarke and Cody Hoellerman, spokeswomen for Animal Friends, could not be reached for comment.