Four dozen dogs living in unsanitary conditions in a Whitehall home have been rescued by a local animal shelter.
Neighbors at a home along Brownsville Road called police on Monday because of the stench wafting from the property, said Cody Hoellerman, chief community engagement officer for the Animal Friends shelter in Ohio Township.
Hoellerman said neighbors were unsure how many dogs were being kept inside the house because the animals were rarely seen outside.
“They thought there were at least 10 dogs in there, but they really didn’t know for sure,” he said. “Whitehall police went out to check and reached out to us for assistance.”
The shelter’s humane officers obtained a search warrant and entered the property on Wednesday.
“We didn’t know how severe it was until we got inside,” said Hoellerman.
Shelter personnel found 48 dogs that were dirty, covered in urine and feces, and infested with fleas.
The dogs are all small breeds, including terriers and poodle mixes.
Hoellerman said the dogs appeared to have been fed, but their condition won’t be known until medical exams have been completed.
The dogs also will undergo a forensic examination to help humane officers determine what charges the owners might face.
“That’s where our medical team will document any illnesses they are suffering, the overall medical condition and whether any injuries occurred,” Hoellerman said. “That’s what dictates the severity of the charges.”
The charges could range from animal neglect, animal cruelty or animal abuse, he said, adding that the owners aren’t being identified until charges have been filed.
Hoellerman said it’s too soon to say when the dogs will be ready for adoption, but getting them into stable, loving homes is the goal.
“They all seemed very friendly and emotional, but they’re still in a little bit of shock,” he said. “Some were very fearful and shut down.
“It will take a few days for them to acclimate and we’ll try to move as many of them into temporary foster care as we can,” he said.
