MONROE — First, in October, there was a call for a major seizure of mistreated German Shepherd dogs, mostly puppies, totaling 18 animals. Then, on Nov. 25, Green County Humane society was called in again to help with a group of 55 mistreated small dogs — a one-two punch that would put a strain on any such organization outside of a major metro area.
But with the dog situation stabilized, the agency provided an update to the Times about its efforts to deal with a literal influx of needy animals; and to recover financially from a hard late Autumn.
GCHS officials say it is something that could happen literally anywhere.
“It’s not a matter of if, but when,” said Erin Emery, GCHS Executive Director. “At this point, I think we handled it pretty well, and we had plenty of help from the community.”
Indeed, news of the big canine seizures prompted an influx of applications to adopt the small dogs. There were about 100 to 150 interested in the German Shepherds, as well, she added. But with the Christmas holiday looming, almost all the remaining dogs have homes or fosters now — far exceeding the 400 people alone who applied for one of them.
“We had an outpouring from the community,” said Emery. “It is hard knowing we will have to disappoint about 368 of them.”
There are no Shepherd puppies available, and the four remaining shepherd adults are being held in quarantine, as they have behavioral issues related to their neglect. They may be available later, however.
“They are acting like a pack,” said Emery, who nonetheless does not blame the adult dogs for their protective behavior; and says that with love and some training, there is no reason permanent homes cannot be located for them.
Both cases were based in Lafayette County, and authorities there are handling the criminal cases. But since that county does not have its own humane society, Green County Humane society stepped in to help its neighbors.
There are about 22 dogs left from the original batch of small dogs, she said. Three agencies assisted and adopted between 6 and 18 of the original refugees each: Shelter from the Storm, Ridgeway Rescue and Dane County Humane Society. The little dogs are a mix of Maltese, Boston Terrier, and Yorkie breeds, she said, and have been quite popular.
“Everyone loves a lap dog,” she said.
Now, the effort has shifted from getting all the dogs adopted or sent to other agencies, to replenishing the society’s supplies. The also are asking the public for monetary donations.
Many of the dogs needed medical treatment, vaccines, medications, and constant care — especially the newborn puppies, several of whom needed supplemental feeding and monitoring. Physical donations such as small breed dog food, puppy pads, bleach, laundry detergent, puppy food, high-calorie nutritional support, blankets, and gift cards are still being accepted.
The German Shepherds were first encountered on October 15, when Lafayette County deputies were dispatched to 20462 Wardsville Road in the Town of Seymour, for a check welfare case. The property searched and at about7:30 p.m., on Oct. 17,
Jeslias Z. Murillo-Lopez, 37, was taken into custody at the Lafayette County Sheriff’s Office. Later that day, at about1:15 p.m., deputies and GCHS staff returned and seized 18 living dogs and one dead dog ranging from very small puppies to adult dogs — all German Shepherd breed.
Murillo-Lopez — facing 60 charges related to the case — is scheduled for a preliminary hearing in Lafayette County Circuit Court on January 21 before Judge Jane Bucher. His Bond was set at $25,000. (Meanwhile, Murillo-Lopez has open circuit court cases from late September that include felony second degree sexual assault/use of force, strangulation and suffocation, child abuse-intentionally cause harm, and misdemeanor battery and disorderly conduct charges).
The smaller dogs were found at about 9:12 a.m., on November 25, when Lafayette County detectives and deputies executed a search warrant at 9482 CTH G, in the Town of Fayette.
Sharon M. Lambrecht, 74, was taken into custody at the property. Lambrecht was transported to the Lafayette County Jail and booked on charges of animal neglect — 34 counts from the arrest, according to court records.
Arriving on the property that morning, GCHS workers discovered two small trailers packed with 55 dogs, many confined to filthy, cramped cages. The conditions were ‘horrific’, the air thick with ammonia, and the sound of panicked barking echoed through the space, a GCHS news release said.
She is scheduled for a preliminary hearing January 22 before Judge Jenna Gill. Bond for Lambrecht was set at $20,000.
