Dozens of animals removed from Fridley shelter under investigation for maltreatment
FRIDLEY, Minn. — More than a dozen animals were found dead last month when police searched a northern Twin Cities metro animal shelter that remains under investigation, according to a warrant.
The Fridley Police Department said it received a tip about "animal maltreatment" at Happy Tails Rescue in Fridley in February and has been investigating the facility, in collaboration with the Animal Humane Society, ever since. That investigation included interviews with employees and volunteers.
On May 21, Fridley police executed a search warrant at the rescue and "an associated location in Oak Grove," the department said. According to the warrant, police found two dead dogs and 13 dead cats inside the facility. The warrant lists 39 live animals seized from the shelter — 25 dogs, 12 cats, a bird and a guinea pig — though police said 42 living animals were found in total. Those animals were placed in the care of AHS.
According to its website, Happy Tails is a nonprofit "dedicated to rescuing homeless and abandoned animals."
"By working with committed volunteers, foster homes, local veterinarians, trainers and boarding facilities, we are able to rescue dogs and cats providing them with loving temporary care until a well-matched, carefully screened forever home can be found," the website states.
The animals are now in the custody of the Animal Humane Society in Golden Valley.
Liv Hagen spoke to WCCO about her experience the day police served their warrant.
"We did have 19 animals that immediately needed medical intervention," said Hagen, AHS's shelter behavior and humane investigations manager. "We've seen conditions that are ranging in severity from a lot of upper respiratory infections, ranging in severity, a lot of skin conditions that are infected. We had a severe ear infection that had ulcerated."
Luckily, there has been progress, with nearly a dozen of the animals now up for adoption.
No one has been charged in this case. Neither Happy Tails or its executive director responded to a request for comment Thursday.
"Oftentimes people or even organizations do find themselves either overwhelmed with the number of animals in their care or simply without the resources to be able to care for all of the conditions or all of the animals," said Hagen.
Over the coming days and weeks, Hagen said more of the animals will be up for adoption as their conditions improve, to hopefully soon find forever homes.
If you'd like to help the rescued animals, the Humane Society says it's always accepting donations.
Click here for a list of adoptable animals.