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Case of animal hoarding still under investigation, police say

by Geoff Fox

The seizure of more than 100 animals from a Hancock-area residence has not yet led to criminal charges by police agencies according to the Washington County Sheriff’s Office.

On June 8, members of the Humane Society of Washington County and the Washington County Sheriff’s Office responded to a residence east of Hancock for a hoarding issue with 91 dogs and 21 cats.

According to the Humane Society, the animals were living in a house with unsanitary and unhealthy living conditions.

Pictures from the scene showed and video from the scene showed the dogs covered in filth, feces covering the floor, and dogs with uncut toenails.

Over the course of the following days, the dogs and cats were triaged, vaccinated, and treated for parasites.

A week later, the Humane Society posted a few of the dogs had been spayed or neutered and made available for adoption.

The process of evaluating the medical and behavioral need of each animal, along with bathing, shaving, and completing its spay/neuter surgeries was ongoing.

As for the owner of the property, Sgt. Carly Hose of the Washington County Sheriff’s Office said she couldn’t provide any update other than the case is still under investigation.

The animals that were rescued last month have started going to foster homes and being adopted, according to the Humane Society.

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