MASON -- The Ingham County Animal Control seized 70 dogs from a Mason-area kennel Monday, in what officials are calling the largest seizure in the agency's history.

Most of the dogs are Australian Shepherd dogs and were living in conditions one deputy described as "atrocious."

"Some were living in mud and water," said David Wilcox, deputy director of the Ingham County Animal Control. "One of the pens outside was completely covered with approximately 3 to 4 inches of water where the animals had no way to get out of the water."

Other dogs were housed in kennels inside a garage-like structure attached to the owner's home, Wilcox said.

"The kennels all had several inches of feces in them ... it looked like they were just throwing wood chips on top of them to cover it up," he said.

The seizure began Monday morning when an Animal Control deputy received an anonymous tip alleging poor conditions at the kennel.

Animal Control Deputy Glenn Turcotte was first to arrive at the kennel at around 11 a.m. Monday to investigate.

"We felt that they were being neglected by the owner," said Turcotte.

"The conditions were atrocious at that kennel."

Several dogs had feces impacted in their paws, and others were "just covered, caked in mud," Wilcox said.

All will be bathed and examined by veterinarians, he said.

The owner of the kennel has not been identified, and the address of the kennel was not provided.

The owner did sign over ownership of the dogs to animal control deputies.

Wilcox said Animal Control is continuing its investigation into the case and will present its findings to the Ingham County Prosecutor's Office to determine if the owner will face charges.

In the meantime, the large influx of dogs has the Animal Control's shelter over its approximately 110-dog capacity. Before Monday's seizure, the shelter had about 70 dogs, Wilcox said. Now the shelter is housing about 150 dogs.

Animal Control Director Jamie McAloon Lampman said that the dogs seized Monday will not be adopted out or euthanized until at least Friday because they are part of the county's investigation. Some of the seized dogs will be available later in the week, but the majority will likely be available next week.

The agency is hoping members of the public will adopt as many dogs a possible that were in the shelter before the seizure.

"Eventually, if we can't get some of these adopted out, then unfortunately we'll have to euthanize some of our animals," Wilcox said.

McKees Rocks firm will take over city's animal control work

Strays to go to Allegheny County shelter

Sunday, January 29, 2006

Butler City Council plans to hire a private company to deal with stray and nuisance animals.

The Butler County Humane Society stopped accepting pit bulls, pit-bull mixes and what the society would consider aggressive dogs more than three months ago. And, after a dog caused $328 in damage to a squad car last summer, the police department asked the city to consider alternatives for transporting aggressive dogs.

"The current system just wasn't working. We can't have police taking dogs [to the humane society] and not knowing if they'll even take them," said James Kraus, councilman for public safety.

The city is preparing a contract with Triangle Pet Control that calls for a $300 a month retainer. In addition, the city would pay $30 to have an animal picked up Mondays through Saturdays and $40 on Sundays.

Owners of licensed dogs would have five days to retrieve their pets from Triangle's kennels in McKees Rocks. Owners of unlicensed dogs would have 72 hours. Unclaimed dogs would most likely be euthanized.

Owners would have to pay a pickup fee of $65, plus $13 per day for boarding. City residents do not pay to pick up their stray dogs at the Butler County Humane Society.

The Butler County Humane Society is a no-kill shelter and according to Executive Director Eugene Gatty, is not able to accept aggressive animals.

"If we adopt out a biter, it opens up legal problems for the person who adopts it," said Dr. Gatty, a veterinarian.

Also, he said, the shelter does not have enough space to accommodate aggressive dogs, which could take months to place.

"We adopt close to a thousand animals a year, [and] we only have 50 kennels for dogs," Dr. Gatty said.

In other business at last week's meeting, Councilwoman Kathy Kline asked council for $5,000 to fund a study to determine how much it would cost to repair the swimming pool in Memorial Park. The pool was closed last summer due to a leak and because it was losing money for the city.

Treasurer Ralph D'Antonio said, "It's a losing proposition. Municipalities can't afford the pools. The YMCA lost $24,000 a year."

Ms. Kline said a study is needed to apply for state funds for parks and recreation in September. Grant and private money may also be available to reopen the pool, she said.

No action was taken, but council will consider the request.