MONROE - As if the Green County Humane Society wasn't full enough, it's taken on 20 more dogs from an animal neglect case.
Green County Sheriff's deputies confiscated 20 dogs Sunday from a rural residence in Jefferson township, after deputies observed conditions at the farm consistent with animal neglect.
Seventeen dogs, mostly smaller mixed breeds, were taken from inside the home; three were taken from outside, out of concern for their health and safety.
The conditions inside the home were "consistent with 17 dogs doing everything in the house ... living their entire lives there," Green County Chief Deputy Jeff Skatrud said. "It was about as filthy as you can imagine."
According to Skatrud, there was neither adequate food nor outside shelter for the dogs, who were inside living in fecal matter. Skatrud said there is no running water on the property.
Catching the dogs took several hours, and the Green County Human Society was called in to assist. Skatrud said the dogs inside were scared and hiding, making their capture more time-consuming.
All 20 dogs were transported to the humane society shelter.
GCHS Director Tonya Kelly said the inside dogs were Chihuahua terrier mixes and one black Labrador. The outside dogs were collie mixes. The dogs ranged in age from 3 months to 8 years.
The outside dogs were in "rough shape" she said, and there was evidence the inside dogs had been fighting. Two animals needed surgery.
Deputies first were called Sunday to the W3500 block of Middle Juda Road for a report of horses running loose, but the horses on the farm were not removed. Deputies determined the emergency situation was with the dogs.
Donald W. Svendsen, 45, was arrested on a probation hold. According to Skatrud, Svendsen's probationary officer was contacted, and he ordered Svendsen to be taken into custody on possible probation violations.
Bonnie K. Bitz, 46, was arrested on tentative charges of animal neglect, booked and released from Green County Jail. She is scheduled to make her first court appearance March 31.
Skatrud said after Green County District Attorney Gary Luhman reviews the case report and pictures, multiple or more serious charges may be added.
All the dogs will be held at the humane society facilities until the case makes it way through the court system.
"They told me it could be anywhere from a week to a month," Kelly said. No dogs will be fostered out "at this time," if at all, she said, depending upon how the case develops.
Kelly said the shelter is set up to handle 37 dogs and had 33 at the time of the confiscation. Cages were brought out from storage and set up in the middle of the room to accommodate the excess dogs.
"We're doing the best we can," Kelly said. "We need the money to come in the donations to be able to support food for all of them ... the medical attention we're going to have to give them all, and staff - volunteers, we need lots of volunteers to help."
Green County Sheriff's deputies confiscated 20 dogs Sunday from a rural residence in Jefferson township, after deputies observed conditions at the farm consistent with animal neglect.
Seventeen dogs, mostly smaller mixed breeds, were taken from inside the home; three were taken from outside, out of concern for their health and safety.
The conditions inside the home were "consistent with 17 dogs doing everything in the house ... living their entire lives there," Green County Chief Deputy Jeff Skatrud said. "It was about as filthy as you can imagine."
According to Skatrud, there was neither adequate food nor outside shelter for the dogs, who were inside living in fecal matter. Skatrud said there is no running water on the property.
Catching the dogs took several hours, and the Green County Human Society was called in to assist. Skatrud said the dogs inside were scared and hiding, making their capture more time-consuming.
All 20 dogs were transported to the humane society shelter.
GCHS Director Tonya Kelly said the inside dogs were Chihuahua terrier mixes and one black Labrador. The outside dogs were collie mixes. The dogs ranged in age from 3 months to 8 years.
The outside dogs were in "rough shape" she said, and there was evidence the inside dogs had been fighting. Two animals needed surgery.
Deputies first were called Sunday to the W3500 block of Middle Juda Road for a report of horses running loose, but the horses on the farm were not removed. Deputies determined the emergency situation was with the dogs.
Donald W. Svendsen, 45, was arrested on a probation hold. According to Skatrud, Svendsen's probationary officer was contacted, and he ordered Svendsen to be taken into custody on possible probation violations.
Bonnie K. Bitz, 46, was arrested on tentative charges of animal neglect, booked and released from Green County Jail. She is scheduled to make her first court appearance March 31.
Skatrud said after Green County District Attorney Gary Luhman reviews the case report and pictures, multiple or more serious charges may be added.
All the dogs will be held at the humane society facilities until the case makes it way through the court system.
"They told me it could be anywhere from a week to a month," Kelly said. No dogs will be fostered out "at this time," if at all, she said, depending upon how the case develops.
Kelly said the shelter is set up to handle 37 dogs and had 33 at the time of the confiscation. Cages were brought out from storage and set up in the middle of the room to accommodate the excess dogs.
"We're doing the best we can," Kelly said. "We need the money to come in the donations to be able to support food for all of them ... the medical attention we're going to have to give them all, and staff - volunteers, we need lots of volunteers to help."