GREENFIELD — Police, working in collaboration with the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office Animal Services Team, rescued 34 dogs from a Woodland Drive kennel that Police Chief Todd Dodge said had become unsanitary and overcrowded.
Dodge said the kennel owner — who was sheltering 34 dogs alongside other animals — was licensed with the city and had been operating for years. It is unclear at this time whether the kennel owner will face charges as an investigation continues.
“I think, due to medical issues, it caused them to not be able to maintain this kennel to the extent it should have been,” Dodge said. “An overwhelming amount of feces was present in and around the premises, which the animals were all living on and in. It was not good. It was clearly immediately determined that these animals were in danger based on the environment there they’ve been left in, and we needed to get them out of there ASAP.”
In a collaborative effort between the Greenfield Police Department, the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office Animal Services Team, the Northwestern District Attorney’s Office, MSPCA-Angell, the Animal Rescue League of Boston, Windham County Humane Society and Dakin Humane Society, the dogs were removed from the area.
The dogs were transported to the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office Regional Dog Shelter in Turners Falls, where staff and volunteers bathed them. Veterinarian Dr. Cynthia O’Connor also worked with her team to vaccinate all the dogs for rabies, according to the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office.
According to Franklin County Regional Dog Control Officer Leslee Colucci, the animals were in need of basic care, but were, “for the most part, in pretty decent shape.”
Colucci asked the public to notify authorities early when they suspect animal abuse or neglect.
“It would be nice if people suspect something, that they alert the authorities,” Colucci said. “Sometimes people don’t call because they don’t want to get involved.”
According to the Animal Rescue League of Boston, the facility is now caring for 10 of the beagles and will provide the dogs with “compassionate care,” veterinary exams and spay/neuter services. The beagles will be put up for adoption when they are ready.
The dogs range in age up to 8 years old, are friendly and appear to be well-fed, according to the Animal Rescue League of Boston. The 10 beagles being cared for at the Boston facility include three males and seven females. The beagles are named after bagels: Everything, Blueberry, Pumpernickel, Asiago, Sesame, Cinnamon Raisin, Egg, Marble, Poppy and Jalapeño Cheddar.
“Overcrowding is a complex issue that can lead to serious health concerns not only for animals, but for people living among them as well,” the Animal Rescue League of Boston wrote in a statement. “Animals saved from overcrowding situations can have many health and behavior issues, and over the next few days and weeks, these dogs will need extraordinary care.”
Lee Chambers, a spokesperson for Dakin Humane Society in Springfield, said in an interview Friday afternoon that the organization took in four of the dogs, one of which has already been adopted. She said two of the other dogs are recovering from surgery and the other is ready to be adopted.
Chambers said that because beagles are particularly loud dogs, Dakin is screening adoption applicants to ensure they do not live in smaller apartments with thin walls. She added that because of their living conditions in Greenfield, the dogs have been “undersocialized” and might need some house training. Still, Chambers added that with a little training and work, the dogs are likely to live “long, happy lives.”