Humane Agents Raid Site Of Suspected Puppy Mill In Washington County
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WASHINGTON, Pa. (KDKA) -- Dozens of dogs were rescued when police and humane officials raided a suspected puppy mill operation in Washington County.
The raid took place Wednesday afternoon on the property of a rural farm on Hamilton Acres, off of Brush Run Road in Hopewell Township.
Approximately 100 dogs, German Shorthaired Pointers, a well-known breed of hunting dog, were found living in what's described as deplorable conditions.
As the raid went on, animal rescue workers and volunteers began emerging from the grounds, high atop a rugged rural road, with the animals. Some of them had to be carried by the rescuers.
The state police were alerted to the situation by neighbors, who said there were warning signs.
They say some of the dogs started getting loose and running around the neighborhood, showing up hungry on doorsteps. They community and people who love the breed then started connecting on Facebook.
One of the dogs was found in Venetia, and the other in Cecil Township.
"Hours from death," said Amelia Breitenbach, who rescued one of the dogs. "She was rushed to a local vet that saved her life. She was covered in ticks, and without that vet care she would have been gone within hours."
"He was very thin, terrified of everything, didn't know anything. Ror the first six months that we owned him, we had to lift him into our truck," said Jen Urksa, who rescued the other.
Amy Wadas' Report:
Washington County District Attorney Gene Vittone issued a search warrant for the farm and had a firsthand look at the conditions the dogs were living in.
"Pretty bad, didn't look like there was enough water for the animals," said Washington County District Attorney Gene Vittone. "The conditions they were being kept in were very unsanitary."
Vittone said no one was on the property at the time of the raid, so it remains unclear if the dogs were being abandoned. So far, no charges have been filed.
The Washington County Fairgrounds were eventually set up as a triage area for the dogs.
Anyone with information on the case is being asked to call the State Police in Washington County.
The Washington County Humane Society and Action for Animals are two of the agencies where the dogs are being cared for. No word yet on when they'll be up for adoption.