The investigation started seven weeks ago when a resident near Diana Drive told police her neighbor had more than 15 dogs on his property; when police investigated, they found 35 dogs.
Pet Paw-see volunteer Gloria Lamott says she helped rescue 19 of the dogs, and said the dogs' owner contacted her asking for her help, saying he was being investigated by Animal Control and was told to get rid of the animals.
She describes the dogs as unsocialized and poorly cared for with a putrid smell; she said, "They didn't know what it was like to be picked up, none of them knew what a leash was. They're not socialized and terribly, terribly unkept."
LaMott took the dogs to the F & L Pet Resort in Black Eagle where they were taken care of until other rescue agencies in Montana stepped in to help.
LaMott says Pet Paw-see cleaned out its entire dog budget for the year to take care of these dogs.
LaMott tells us seven of the dogs had to be euthanized.
She says people who had previously purchased a dog from the owner have reached out to her, saying their dogs were too sick to keep.
[In the video, they describe the dogs as Maltese and Schnauzers]
When we first spoke to police about the case, they told us they gave the dogs' owner an opportunity to get rid of the dogs, adding that the man was very cooperative and proactive through the process.
GFPD says the case is now with the city attorney's office.
(KRTV - Nov 28, 2012)
