New Hampshire

84 Great Danes Rescued From Suspected New Hampshire Puppy Mill

The canines were surrounded in feces and several had swollen eyelids. There was heavy odor of ammonia, feces and raw chicken, authorities said

Eighty-four Great Danes have been rescued from a suspected puppy mill in Wolfeboro, New Hampshire, by police who issued search and seizure and arrest warrants on the undisclosed property Friday morning with the help of The Humane Society of the United States.

Wolfeboro police initially arrived at the property on May 9 after receiving animal neglect allegations, police said. Officers found the 84 dogs living in squalid conditions with limited access to food or water, according to authorities.

The canines were surrounded in feces and several had swollen eyelids. There was heavy odor of ammonia, feces and raw chicken, authorities said.

The HSUS safely transported the animals to a temporary, undisclosed emergency animal shelter.

"It’s astonishing that such cruelty can occur and I’m so relieved that these animals are now safe and in the hands of people who will provide proper care for them. We anticipate caring for them for several months," said Lindsay Hamrick, New Hampshire state director for The HSUS who was on the scene.

Wolfeboro Police Chief Dean Rondeau said in a news release that he had never seen such horrible conditions in his more than two decades of law enforcement.

"Words cannot describe the absolute abhorrent conditions these animals were living in. I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks to The Humane Society of the United States, Conway Area Humane Society and Pope Memorial SPCA, whose expert opinion and counsel was well-received, as well as the other local organizations who assisted at the scene,” Chief Rondeau said.

The dogs will be thoroughly examined by a team of veterinarians and receive the necessary care, The HSUS said.

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