LAKEWOOD, Ohio — Footage obtained by 3News shows the first moments after one of the 42 dogs found in a Lakewood home were brought outside.
The video was captured by Stefanie Valentic, who helped report this case.
"I came across these two beagles in Kamm's Corner about mid-August," Valentic said, "and they were from a homeless woman who eventually gave me the address of where these dogs came from."
Valentic did some research and saw the conditions the other dogs were living in, calling animal control soon after. Lakewood police say they received multiple complaints that allowed them to get a search warrant.
"We went and spoke to the resident of the house who allowed us entry, and the dogs were being kept in terrible conditions," police Cpt. Gary Stone told WKYC, so much so that the house is now deemed unfit for habitation. They're helping the owner find another place to live.
But now, they have 42 pups left in limbo.
"We cannot release them to foster homes or anything until a legal decision has been made, because they're still the property of the owner," Stone explained.
The court process related to this case is required to start within 10 days. For Valentic, who says it took her own beagles a decent time to adjust, she's hopeful for a brighter future in the new homes for the other 42.
"This is the greatest Christmas present ever," she said of her dogs. "I've had these dogs since August and I could just see in their face what they went through, and it went through my mind for months, 'What can I do?'"