‘So Deplorable’: 18 Dogs Recovered in Salisbury Animal Welfare Investigation
SALISBURY, Md. – The Humane Society of Wicomico County has received 18 dogs after they were seized from a Salisbury residence following an animal welfare investigation on Tuesday.
Officials say the investigation first began on Friday, Aug. 29, after Animal Control of Wicomico County received a complaint concerning the welfare and living conditions of numerous dogs on a property in the 300 block of West Naylor Mill Road.
Following days of coordinating necessary resources, Wicomico County Animal Control officers responded to the property on Sept. 1. Upon arrival around 11:50 a.m., officers located two residents in a shed on the property with two adult dogs. Due to the conditions immediately observed, animal control officers requested assistance from the Wicomico County Sheriff’s Office, Wicomico County Code Enforcement, and City of Salisbury Animal Control.
In an interview with WMDT, Wicomico Sheriff Mike Lewis described the scene as deplorable, saying the conditions were so poor that the property owner and another individual were actually living in their shed while the dogs took over the house.
“[Deputies] didn’t even think there was a floor in the house,” Sheriff Lewis told WMDT. “They thought it was a dirt floor, when in fact it was dried feces that had been piled so deeply in the house you couldn’t even see the flooring in the home.”
Several dogs were located running loose throughout the property, and observed to be living in unsanitary conditions. Further, many of the dogs also appeared to be in poor physical condition. Upon entering the main residence on the property, authorities observed more unsanitary conditions, and several other dogs.
“And, these dogs were clearly not being taken care of; they appeared to be, malnourished,” Sheriff Lewis added. “We didn’t find any deceased animals, but clearly they were not being taken care of.”
The humane society says the majority of dogs seized from the property were Springer Spaniel mixes, consisting of both puppies and adults. Seventeen dogs were trapped on Sept. 1, and an additional dog was trapped the following day. At this time, four additional dogs remain at large on the property, and efforts to catch them are ongoing. All of the recovered dogs are currently receiving veterinary examinations and are in the care of the Humane Society of Wicomico County. Once the dogs have been medically cleared and determined ready for placement, they will be made available for adoption.
Sheriff Lewis says charges are pending the outcome of the ongoing animal welfare investigation and a presentation of findings to the State Attorney’s Office. He urges anyone with knowledge of ongoing animal mistreatment to contact your local shelter and law enforcement.
As the Humane Society of Wicomico County continues their efforts to help the recovered dogs, they are asking for monetary donations to help support veterinary care, food, medications, and other needed resources. If you would like to donate, you can do so here.
“I would encourage any and everybody to go by our humane society and not only volunteer your time, but financially contribute to the Humane Society does so much for our fur babies,” Sheriff Lewis concluded.
