James A. Shuper, 74, and Carol E. Shuper, 72, are each expected to be charged with 25 counts of animal mistreatment and 30 counts of animal neglect, stemming from the discovery and removal of the animals from their home at 1525 16th Ave. E. on June 8.rec
The mistreatment charge alleges that the Shupers deprived the animals of necessary food, water and shelter, whereas the neglect charge maintains that they failed to provide proper sanitation for the animals in their control.
All of the counts are misdemeanors and carry a maximum sentence of 90 days jail.
Following up on an anonymous tip, Hibbing Animal Control Officer Alyssa Garcia recruited the help of the Hibbing Police Department. She and an officer then visited the residence, which the anonymous caller estimated had 20 dogs inside.
City ordinance states that urban residents may not have more than four dogs or cats at a time.
On scene, Garcia and the officer noticed many bags of dog food in old vehicles located on the lot and noted a strong odor of urine and feces around the outside of the home, according to the complaint.
On a second knocking at the front door, James Shuper answered and told the officer he had four dogs of his own in the home.
When asked if there were any more dogs in the residence, Shuper hesitated but stated “maybe 20.”
According to the complaint, Shuper stated that he had so many “because other people had given him the dogs,” adding that “he believed they would die if they were not cared for.” He did not provide the names of any individuals who gave him the dogs.
Upon entering the house, the officer and Garcia noted the odor was stronger and started to gag for fresh air. They went outside the residence and called for another officer as well as Hibbing Animal Shelter employees to respond with pet crates.
When they re-entered the home, the officer observed 20 dogs in the living room area. They were described as undernourished with their ribs protruding, weeping eyes due to infections and having overgrown nails, according to the complaint.
Blood was also spotted on the wood floors in several area of the house because many of the dogs had bloody feet.
Carol Shuper was home at the time and yelled at the officer and Garcia to “leave (her) dogs alone.”
While removing the animals, an officer was bit in the hand and transported by ambulance to the University Medical Center-Mesabi for treatment. Two animal shelter workers were also bit.
Urine stains on the walls and balls of fur were found throughout the house. In the basement, there was about 1 to 2 inches of feces.
Several dogs were found scared and hiding under the stairs in the basement. Officers needed flashlights and choke collars to get them out. These dogs were described by Garcia as “extremely wild and untamed,” states the complaint.
At the shelter, veterinarian K. Michele Dougan determined that 25 of the 30 dogs seized were emaciated. She further found that all of the dogs had eye irritation and eye drainage due to the ammonia fumes from the accumulation of urine and feces in the home.
All but four of the dogs were described by Dougan as “absolutely filthy,” and several of the dogs were covered in fecal matter. She also determined that the dogs didn’t have enough food, didn’t receive proper hygiene and that their area of confinement was too small and lacked ventilation, according to the complaint.
“This is something that you see on ‘Animals Cops’ or something like that. It’s not something you expect to have here,” Garcia said. “I know it’s out there. It’s just hard to believe until you live it.”
The dogs were nursed back to health by shelter staff and went up for adoption about one month after the date of the rescue. The dogs, which were all Papillion and Chihuahua crosses, had been given shots and were spayed/neutered.
Only five of the rescued dogs are still waiting to be adopted.
(Fergus Falls Journal - November 18, 2010)