NASHUA, N.H. — More than 100 dogs that were seized from a kennel in Bradford, New Hampshire, are being cared for at two animal shelters as police consider criminal charges against their owner.
Police searched the property Tuesday after someone who bought two dogs at the kennel reported suspected animal cruelty or neglect.
The owner surrendered the 52 adult dogs and 53 puppies, a mix of Golden Retrievers and English Labradors, which were later taken to the Pope Memorial SPCA of Concord-Merrimack County and the Humane Society for Greater Nashua.
Authorities in NH say the dogs had been living in squalid conditions and are being medically evaluated.
"We don’t look for opportunities to take peoples animals away from them," said Douglas Barry, CEO of the Greater Nashua Humane Society. "Our job is to keep animals in the home with the individuals that they love."
At a distance, the dogs seemed fine, perfectly happy and healthy, but upon closer look, officials noticed signs of psychological damage on the dogs as well as some physical signs on others.
The coats on many dogs had been shaved where their fur had been matted down with filth, one dog visibly walked with a limp and at least two of them were pregnant.
"There are good breeders, there are people who take very good care of large numbers of animals, [but] unfortunately, there are many cases where that does not happen," said Becky Longval, Director of Animal Care Services.
Officials say all the dogs are expected to be up for adoption soon.
The case remains under investigation.