By Sarah Roebuck
Police1
NEW YORK — Multiple law enforcement agencies across four states partnered with the ASPCA to help rescue nearly 300 mistreated dogs from multiple operations, including criminal cases, in a 30-day time frame, the ASPCA stated in a news release.
In late February, the Sussex County Prosecutor’s Office and the Vernon Township Police Department in New Jersey requested help from the ASPCA to remove more than 90 dogs in poor condition from the property of a self-described animal rescue group.
Police officers and members of the ASPCA rescued the dogs, including young puppies, from a deplorable living environment where they were surrounded by their own feces and urine, and subjected to dangerous ammonia exposure, the ASPCA said.
Soon after the Vernon rescue, members of the ASPCA mobilized to Mississippi to help the Starkville Police Department Animal Control Team and Oktibbeha County Humane Society to rescue more than 50 malnourished dogs living on the property of an overwhelmed property owner.
While in Mississippi, the Union County Sheriff’s Office in Florida requested help from the ASPCA to remove nearly 120 mistreated dogs, mostly great Danes, from a breeding operation.
Authorities confiscated the dogs, including French and English bulldogs as well as Chinese Cresteds, from a breeder’s premises after finding them in severely unsanitary living conditions.
“We would like to thank the ASPCA for working closely with our agency on this complex investigation into animal cruelty. We have a proven track record of always taking animal cruelty seriously and it will not be tolerated in our county,” said Union County Sheriff Brad Whitehead. “We continue to work closely with the ASPCA and thank them for their expertise and support so we can proceed with criminal charges and prosecution, and to ensure the wellbeing of these animals. We would also like to thank the Union County Animal Control for all their assistance and involvement in this case.”
Numerous animals were also rescued from suspected abusive situations in the past 30 days in New York City, thanks to the ongoing partnership between the ASPCA and the NYPD. This effort led to the rescue of 11 dogs and two cats from unclean living conditions in Rockaway, Queens.
The ASPCA collaborates extensively with local law enforcement and animal shelters on both suspected animal cruelty cases and non-criminal rescue missions throughout the country. The ASPCA said it supports local agencies with investigation and legal assistance, crime scene analysis, the extraction and transportation of animals, forensic veterinary and behavioral examinations, as well as providing shelter, medical treatment, behavioral therapy and enrichment, culminating in the placement of animals in new homes.
