After nearly a month of investigation, at least 36 dogs, 17 horses and four donkeys were removed from Betty Damerow's home north of Cadott.
Lori Brabec, owner of Showstoppers Custom Dog Grooming in Boyd said a friend asked her to check the place out. After finding slender stallions, malnourished mares and dirty dogs, she said she then contacted the Chippewa County Sheriff's Office who asked Damerow to give the animals away.
"These animals, they've never done anything wrong to deserve the situation they were in," Damerow's neighbor Cal Marion, who rescued three donkeys and a horse said.
"It was pretty rough ... the kennels were over crowded and in need of cleaning," Brabec said.
"(Damerow) now realizes she can't care for that number of animals," Undersheriff Eugene Gutsch said.
He said Damerow agreed to have all the dogs taken to no-kill shelters and homes and 26 of her 36 horses rescued.
"We're very confident this is going to be resolved very positively for all sides," Gutsch said.
"I wish that more people would do the right thing like this gal did by letting us take the dogs and find them great homes," Brabec said.
"I feel real happy for the ones we were able to help to get out of the situation they were in," Marion said.
Friday, Brabec, along with Cal Marion and others are working to nurse the animals back to health, and to find them homes.
"With some love and care, he'll come back. He'll be a good little boy," Marion said.
WEAU left a message with Damerow Friday, but did not get a reply.
As of 5:00 p.m. Friday, three dogs and 19 horses remained at the home, Brabec said.
The dogs and horses are up for adoption. For more information on adopting the Pomeranians, poodles and Lhasa Apsos contact Showstoppers Custom Dog Grooming at (715) 667-3640. For horses, call Refuge Farms at (715) 772-3379.
(WEAU - Dec 14, 2012)
