Mass Animal Rescue: Over 200 dogs recovered
The outside of the property is overgrown with trees and bushes surrounding the house, which is barely visible. You can see dogs behind the fence. The entire property is overgrown. Photo | Daneka Whitlow
By PJ Martin
Editor, The Herald-News
Over the course of the last few weeks, operations have been underway to rescue over 200 dogs from a property on the Breeding Road at the Metcalfe – Adair County line in what was once a large, unscrupulous breeding operation called Dixie Rebel Kennel.
It was reported that the elderly lady who lived at the residence had passed away after an illness, and her two heirs became the custodians of the property. The house there was declared to be unlivable due to the waste and filth of the many dogs inside and out. The elderly lady had been living in a truck on the property.
On July 11, eleven Chihuahuas and one Mini Pincher were brought to the Metcalfe County Animal Shelter for vaccinations and spay/neuter surgeries by Daneka Whitlow, a local rescuer who had contacted the Kentucky State Police about the situation.
A couple of the dogs had very little human interaction, and Donna Lafever, manager of the MCAS, stated that they would bite and were hard to handle. Five of those were taken to the Bowling Green Warren County Humane Society by Whitlow, and she kept five.
Kentucky Animal Control Officer Kelly Basham was then contacted about the dire situation, and along with KSP and a local attorney, the paperwork necessary for the seizure of the animals was obtained.
Other than the initial 11 Whitlow rescued, an aunt took 17 of the dogs, then a group, Guardians of Rescue (guardiansofrescue.org), was brought in by Basham, and last Wednesday, the group captured and removed 135 dogs from the property. They also took the 5 Whitlow had.
Cages and more cages full of dogs being rescued by Guardians of Rescue and Kentucky Animal Control. The first day these 135 were taken from the property. Screenshot from Facebook video by Guardians of Rescue
The group returned on Thursday to capture more of the dogs that were loose and living in the woods and around the property. At day’s end, the total captured in both days totaled 202. The team returned on Sunday to get five large dogs off the property and captured a few feral dogs running loose. They were unsure how many were still there, but assured they would not leave any behind.
The rescuers told Lafever, who went to the property on Thursday, that some have mange, ticks, fleas, a broken leg, one looks as though he had a wire stuck around his torso, cutting into him as he grew. Sadly, one dog had been kept in a kennel that was not large enough for it to stand up fully and will now have to relearn to walk. Plus, all the dogs will need various forms of vet care and socialization.
After meeting and speaking with the Guardians, Lafever said, “Those girls are truly amazing in what they do. Covered in ticks, hot, deplorable conditions. True animal warriors.”
Fairy Tails Pet Adoptions has partnered with Guardians of Rescue to pick up the dogs, and Woodstock Spay and Neuter Clinic in Lexington will be doing exams on the first day’s rescues. KY Hopeful Paws Rescue is also taking in some of the dogs.
It is unclear at this time how many more dogs will be found and rescued, but the Guardians of Rescue are asking for help with vet costs and other needs. If you would like to help, please go to https://guardiansofrescue.networkforgood.com/projects/303777-save-the-ky-15o-western-kentucky to donate or by PayPal at https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=2J6E6G97DRAVW.
The animals will be taken to any shelter or rescue with space, provided necessary medical care, spay/neuter surgery, and vaccinations. They will receive the care needed to be ready for adoption.
Keep reading The Herald-News for updates on the situation as they become available.
A dog rescued by guardian members. Screenshot from Facebook post by Guardians of Rescue
A guardian holding a dog with a broken leg. Screenshot from Facebook post by Guardians of Rescue
