WOODBRIDGE, Conn. — Nearly 70 animals in bad condition, including dogs, cats, bunnies and a guinea pig have been recovered from a home since Saturday, according to the Woodbridge animal control Monday.
Officials said they received a call from police at 5 a.m. Saturday, reporting that there was a resident at the shelter who was looking to surrender 14 dogs.
When animal control arrived, they said they found 20 dogs in cages in "horrid condition." According to Jessica Moffo, Woodbridge Regional Animal Control Officer, the dogs were matted and some were riddled with fleas.
After speaking with animal control, the owner surrendered all of the animals that were in cages and at their residence. At least 23 dogs, 37 cats, seven bunnies and one guinea pig were impounded, while animal control said they will continue working until every last animal has been recovered.
Describing the home the animals were in, Moffo said, “it's not the environment you want any animal to live in. It's you know, there's feces, there's grime, there's silt, it's definitely not a position where you want any living person or animal in.”
Some of the cats had fleas and have open wounds from the matting of fur and paw infections.
The owner, who is not being identified at this time, was charged with 22 counts of animal cruelty and is currently receiving mental health treatment at an area hospital.
“She needs help, she knows it and she came to us which was the right thing to do. It could have I think this could have been avoided," said Moffo.
She said this has been one of the worst cases of neglect she has seen in her career.
“It’s some of the worst I’ve seen, it was very bad, we’re not exaggerating some of the conditions of a majority of them were horrid, you don’t want any dog in that condition, it’s very unsafe for them and very unhealthy," said Moffo.
Multiple agencies arrived to provide assistance with getting the animals the help they need, including the North Haven Animal Control, East Haven Animal Shelter, Friends of the New Haven Animal Shelter, Halfway Home Rescue, Inc., Bridgeport Animal Control, Perfect Imperfections, One More Dog Rescue and Westley's Wish K9 Rescue.
The animal control said that any help from the community would be appreciated, including with supplies such as wet dog food and wet cat food.
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