Mass. home condemned after 17 dogs, other pets found in 'filth'

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Seventeen dogs needing medical care and several other animals will be removed from a Massachusetts home Friday after being found living in filth without proper food and water, according to Middleborough town officials.

Town Manager Jay McGrail and Health Agent Kayla Smith said at about 10 a.m., officials responded to 53 Precinct St. to execute an administrative warrant as part of an animal welfare investigation.

Animal control officers found 17 dogs needing medical care inside the home's basement Friday morning.

"They were in cages and dog kennels with urine and feces inside the kennels. Without food, without water," said Animal Control Officer Kevin Racicot, estimating they likely had not been fed since at least Tuesday. "Some were emaciated, pretty skinny. Some were in better condition, but majority were in filth and pretty, pretty thin."

One dog needing urgent medical attention was immediately removed from the house and is now being cared for by animal control, town officials said. The 16 remaining dogs, along with two cats, a turtle and a guinea pig, will also be removed from the home.

"In the two years I've been here, this is the worst," Racicot said of the conditions.

McGrail said the dogs were unregistered and unpermitted. Kennel permits are required for four or more dogs in Middleborough.

The MSPCA Law Enforcement Department executed a criminal warrant in a separate investigation regarding horses on the property Friday morning, town officials said. The MSPCA confirmed it was assisting Middleborough officials in executing a second warrant in an additional investigation involving other animals at the property.

"Just a scary situation in the community that we take very seriously. Obviously, everyone in our community cares a lot about their animals. And, you know, we're a farming community, and we take it pretty seriously," McGrail said.

The house was condemned because “it is a health hazard, and the Middleborough Fire Department determined it to be a fire hazard,” town officials said.

No criminal charges have been filed yet in the case.