November 22nd 2007 10:52 pm
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On this day of Giving Thanks the tears flowed as I heard & watched the lastest news in our City. Another case of innocents suffering by human neglect. I give thanks for so much, but I would give what little I have if this madness would stop! I pray these Beautiful dogs will all survive & find the loving homes they all deserve! See Video above or at Rapid City Journal
Twenty-four neglected Alaskan malamutes were removed from a property near Rapid City Regional Airport on Wednesday afternoon by Humane Society of the Black Hills after a search warrant was served by law enforcement investigating a separate matter.
Phil Olson, executive director of the Humane Society, said the dogs are very thin, some to the point of emaciation.
"Some of them, I suspect those that found it most difficult to compete for food, are emaciated. One dog is about a year old and should weigh about 120 pounds; it weighs 30 pounds," he said.
The remains of 11 dogs and dog fetuses were also found at the property. The Pennington County Sheriff's Office confirmed an investigation is underway, but details about potential charges of animal cruelty and neglect were unavailable late Wednesday afternoon.
Olson said the dogs were found in a kennel at a residential property in a rural area and are in varying degrees of deteriorated condition.
Olson said the first goal is to get the dogs eating regularly and gaining weight, and the dogs' appetites were plenty hearty when they arrived at the shelter.
"They're eating well, and of course they would. There also probably going to have some explosive bowels until they get used to eating regularly," Olson said. "And being outside all their lives, they're pretty good vocalizers, so the shelter is a little louder than normal."
The Humane Society was called to the scene by the sheriff's office, which discovered the dogs while investigating a criminal matter.
"We had been to this place on an inspection some time back, and it actually inspected pretty well," Olson said. "I don't know a whole lot about how (the dogs) got to where they are. We just pretty much went in, took the dogs, and left, so we don't know a whole lot about what went on."
The dogs, mostly adults and juveniles, are being evaluated to determine veterinary needs. Olson is optimistic about their chances for recovery and said they should be adoptable after recovery, though it appears human contact has been limited. One challenge will be to help the dogs learn to interact with people.
"We don't know how long they're going to be held in our custody, but one of the things we've noticed fairly quickly -- and it's only been 3-1/2 hours since we got back -- they're already responding with less fear to us. So that's good," Olson said.
Because malamutes are a large breed, the Humane Society has devoted almost half the shelter to house the dogs. Other dogs are sharing kennels to make room for the malamutes.
DONATIONS to help defray the cost of the dogs' care are greatly appreciated, Olson said. Money or food may be sent to Humane Society of the Black Hills, 1820 E. St. Patrick St., Rapid City, South Dakota, 57703 BlackHillsHumaneSociety
"They are going to need a lot of food," he said. "Donations would be wonderful, because they're going to eat us out of house and home."
My family and I will be donating food & doing whatever we can to help the Malamutes! Please say a Prayer for all to find their Forever Home!
KJ's mom, Teresa
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