Police rescue 68 dogs from man who allegedly performed illegal surgeries
CROWN POINT, Ind. -- Nearly 70 dogs were seized from an Indiana home where investigators said a man was performing illegal surgeries on them, CBS Chicago reports.
The Lake County sheriff said the pets lived in filth and that this is the most rescues the Animal Adoption and Control Center has ever had.
Staffers were forced to close the shelter Wednesday and Thursday so they could clean up and medically evaluate the new animals. It still was a busy day as people dropped off money and supplies to help with the influx.
A heartbreaking home life landed the dogs in an Indiana lockup. They will likely be free soon -- and their owner behind bars.
Complaints over the smell and barking brought the Lake County Sheriff's Department to the unincorporated Center Township home before, but nothing happened. But Wednesday brought a much different discovery.
"It was dark, poor ventilation and then we removed all the animals and we found a lot of medical equipment," said Sheriff John Bunich.
The equipment included scalpels allegedly used to perform a C-section on a Frenchie mom and 10 others.
Bunich said he doesn't believe the property owner has any veterinary training. "To our knowledge, none whatsoever," he said.
In all, 68 dogs now join the rescues at the Lake County sheriff's shelter. They have tripled their patients and needs.
"We brought Clorox bleach, we brought wipes, we brought paper towels," said one donor, Marina Di Santo.
"Food, yea, they gave us a list," said another donor, Jesse Yarnelle. "We read the article on Facebook and we just wanted to see what we could do."
Bunich said he believes the man was selling the dogs. His department has not named him because he hasn't been arrested.
Authorities are planning to charge him with animal neglect, unlicensed vet care and unlicensed breeding.
