Mass Animal Rescue: Last Ones Removed
One of the last five dogs rescued was this Rottweiler, whom the guardians named Shira. When they found her, she was covered in mange and had problems walking from being in a container. Photo courtesy of Guardians of Rescue
By PJ Martin
Editor, The Herald-News
In an update to the mass animal rescue story that began the last week of July, the Guardians of Rescue returned to the Metcalfe County property located on Breeding Road to look for the remaining animals.
Guardians of Rescue (guardiansofrescue.org), who were originally brought in by Kentucky Animal Control Officer Kelly Basham, returned and rescued the last five large dogs. The dogs already removed from the property have been taken in by various rescues and fosters for veterinary care and rehabilitation.
According to Basham, most of the dogs and even the tiny puppies had mange; some dogs had upper respiratory infections, some had severe rectal and vaginal prolapses, one thought to have a broken leg was found to have a bone deformity, and the one that had a restricting object around its abdomen had to have major surgery. She added that all had worms of every type, and they had been given no rabies or other vaccinations.
It has literally cost thousands of dollars to medically treat these animals, and yet they have managed to give them all the care they needed so badly. That is why donations are so important to this rescue.
Four of those large dogs appeared to be Pitbull mixes and one Rottweiler. One or possibly two of the Pits appear to be pregnant. Each has since received veterinary care, especially the Rottweiler, who was unable to walk properly. They are each being fostered and will continue receiving medical care.
According to Basham, the four Pitbull mixes were once puppies advertised for sale by the property owner on her Facebook page. The guardians found the Rottweiler living in a kennel that was too small for it to even turn around in. Her back leg muscles were deteriorated to the point it couldn’t walk without help. She was also used as a breeding dog.
The guardians received a surprise on the fourth day while crawling through brush and wading through weeds, sweeping the property to make sure they didn’t leave any animal behind. They discovered four cats hiding in fear. Luckily, they were discovered as they were hungry and in need of care.
The discovery of the cats brings the total of animals rescued from the property to 262. That includes 17 dogs taken by an aunt, 10 that a local rescuer, Daneka Whitlow, initially recovered, and the rest were taken by Guardians of Rescue.
It is not completely clear how this unbelievable situation began and what must have occurred to lead to this end.
We contacted the Kentucky State Police for a statement and received the following reply.
“We are investigating the incident, and a Trooper is working with the County Attorney for potential charges against those involved. The dogs are in the process of being rehomed by a group called Guardian Rescue,” Master Trooper Jonathan Houk, Public Affairs Officer.
The Herald-News has been informed by other sources that charges are being brought against the owners of the property, but as yet no arrests have been reported.
Guardians of Rescue is a 501(c)(3) non-profit rescue that has been in Kentucky rescuing and caring for the large number of dogs and cats. If you would like to help them, you can call toll-free: 888-287-3864 or go to the following: https://guardiansofrescue.networkforgood.com/…/303777…
PayPal: https://www.paypal.com/donate/…
Wishlist: https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/21WYGFWVM9T4Z…
Keep reading the Herald-News for updates on this situation.
*Warning: the last photo may be upsetting to some viewers.*
Three of the four cats rescued during the last sweep of the property. Photo courtesy of Guardians of Rescue
This group of photos taken by Guardians of Rescue was provided to the paper by Kelly Basham. They show the condition of the house on the property, which was being lived in by the daughter at the time of the rescue. Photos provided by Kelly Basham
