COLUMBUS, Ohio — Forty dogs were taken from a property near Sunbury Sunday afternoon after authorities received reports of possible animal cruelty, according to Delaware County officials.
Authorities began investigating the property in Kingston Township after receiving more than 50 calls about the situation. The Delaware County Sheriff's Office responded to multiple calls of animal cruelty and possible trespassing Saturday evening.
A search warrant was then executed at the property on Kilbourne Road Sunday afternoon by the Delaware County Dog Warden's Office. The raid took about three hours, the county said in a release.
A deputy on scene told 10TV that 43 dogs were removed, but the county later clarified the number was 40.
Most of the dogs that were removed are believed to be pit bulls or pit bull mixes.
Delaware County Dog Warden Mitchell Garrett said the animals are about five to 10 pounds under weight, and now they are being watched closely.
“We have veterinary staff looking over each one of them, giving them the proper medications, vaccines. Taking care of any injuries that might be there,” said Garrett.
The warrant was executed after photos showing dogs chained outside a home were sent to 10TV and seen circulating on social media.
Garrett said the owner has been known to them for several years and during previous visits, the dog warden found only six dogs, all in good health.
Garrett added that complaints continued to come in, but, in recent years, no one would complete a witness statement that would enable the dog shelter staff to act. With a statement they received Friday night and a warrant, the team was able to enter the property and rescue the dogs, the release says.
The owner of the animals was not home at the time of the raid, Garrett said. They don’t know why the 40 dogs were at the home, but they don’t believe the dogs were used for fighting. No charges have been filed against the owner, but they expect charges soon.
“Possibly neglect charges, definitely charges of dog licensing, dog kenneling,” said Garrett.
The humane society said they are now relieved the dogs are in good care at the Delaware County Dog Shelter and Humane Society. They want to encourage people to report animal abuse to the warden if you see it.
"It was deplorable conditions. There’s no doubt about it, with all of the rain over the last week and a half its been very soggy,” said Jana Cassidy, executive director Delaware County Dog Shelter. “We want to encourage people to report something, we need the eyes and ears of our community to tell us what’s going on."
As for the future of the dogs, the warden said he has to get custody of the animals from court before they can consider putting the dogs up for adoption.
An investigation has been launched into the conditions.
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