INDIANA -- A disturbing case of animal neglect in Sullivan County has officials calling it one of the worst they’ve ever seen.
“I’ve been an officer for 11 years,” said Micheal Garrett, asst. chief, “This is probably within the top five residences that I’ve seen”.
Police responded to a call of an escaped dog over the weekend. Police say the dog had broken off of its chain in the backyard of a home at 212 West Giles Street.
When officers arrived to the home, they noticed large amounts of trash and debris outside. Inside the home, police say, was much worse. Police say the inside was covered in animal feces, urine, trash and clothing.
“I just couldn’t imagine children living in that residence, and the animals,” said Garrett.
Police say neighbors had told them the owners had not been seen for a few days.
More than a dozen animals were recovered from the home, according to the Sullivan County Humane Shelter. Julie Tow, vice-president of the humane society board, said she’s never seen a case of neglect like this.
“After it was all finished, and I started home, I just bawled,” said Tow, “I cried because of the conditions that I saw”.
Tow said several adult cats were found dehydrated, malnourished and in very poor shape. A box of kittens were also found, barely alive. Several dogs, found indoors and outdoors, were also at the residence in poor shape.
Tow said another shocking discovery was a dog found inside of a crate.
“We could tell by the amount of feces caked to the floor of the crate, and the condition, that he had probably been in there for several weeks without food or water,” said Tow.
Tow said she could tell the dog tried to gnaw his way out of the crate, but was unsuccessful.
“There’s no excuse for it to get that bad,” said Tow.
Tow said the shelter has assisted the owners of the animals before.
“We’ve offered our help many, many times to them,” said Tow, “They would not let us do as much as we needed to do”.
Police say they are pursuing charges against the animal owners and are working to locate them. Police told us there are children who do live at the home. Police say they are notifying Child Protective Services to investigate.
Tow says if it wasn’t for concerned residents calling in, most of the animals would have died. The focus is now set on recovery for the remaining animals, and finding the people responsible.
“Hopefully this will go to court, and hopefully the people will pay for what they’ve done,” said Tow.
(WTHITV - Aug 3, 2015)
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