GILBERT, Ariz. — Police are investigating possible animal cruelty at a Gilbert property after responding to a welfare check a few weeks ago. One local rescue said that nearly 400 dogs have been seized from the home over the last few months.
The Gilbert Police Department said the investigation began when officers were called to a home near Ray and Lindsay roads on Sept. 13 about an "animal problem."
Officers found the people who lived in the home were in the process of moving. They told officers they had "rehomed" their dogs and they were no longer at the home, according to police.
Police notified the Arizona Humane Society (AHS) of the incident as a precautionary measure for a follow-up.
On Sept. 23, police were again called to the home. At this time, officers found several dogs "needing medical care and attention."
AHS was immediately notified "'due to the severity of the situation."
AHS said limited resources were available to help the dogs because of a "neighboring incident."
"The dogs that did not need immediate care were left on the premises as instructed, with those who needed care sent to local veterinarian clinics," police said.
Police provided the remaining dogs with clean water while waiting for AHS's response to the incident the following day.
An AHS spokesperson confirmed they are currently giving medical care to 18 pets from the home. The animals are on a 10-day seizure hold.
Police said as of Sept. 26 an active animal cruelty investigation is underway.
"At the completion of AHS' written review of the incident, investigators will determine if there is enough probable cause to forward charges to the Gilbert Prosecutor's Office for review," police said.
Dog rescue says they've taken hundreds of dogs from Gilbert property
The Arf-Anage Dog Rescue says since February, they've taken around 400 dogs from the Gilbert breeder and many of the dogs were in bad shape.
Andrea Andrews with Arf-Anage Dog Rescue describes the first dog she ever got from the breeder back in February.
“He smelled as though he lived in his feces and urine for his whole life," said Andrea Andrews with Arf-Anage Dog Rescue. "We had to wash him many, many, many, many, many, many times."
Andrews said some of the dogs were advertised as free. Others were for sale for $100.
Andrews was concerned there were more dogs that needed care so she said she continued to communicate with the breeder. She said she and other rescues took as many dogs as they could and helped find the animals homes.
"We would then bring them back here and begin washing them, grooming them, vaccinating them, getting them started on deworming," Andrews said. "Find wonderful foster homes and get them homes."
Andrews said many of the dogs were covered in feces, overbred or had burns from sitting in urine for long periods of time.
In early September, she said she received a dog with the worst condition she had seen yet.
“I did get a dog that had a large hole in her neck," Andrews said. "I got her on September 10. And she went to the vet on September 11 and she was able to have surgery the following Friday to have the hole closed.”
Two days later, police would respond to the home. When police went back and seized the dogs that were in fact still on the property, Andrews' volunteers got access to the home and took photos of the home's condition.
"What was the house like?" asked 12News reporter Bianca Buono.
"Beyond horrific. It's deplorable. Should be condemned," Andrews said. "The smell from the outskirts of the entire property are beyond horrific."
Andrews said the recent East Valley animal cruelty investigations are evidence Arizona laws need to change.
“There's no hoarding laws here in Arizona," Andrews said. "There should be laws for the amount of dogs that you can have on your property.”
AHS says the community can help
The Arizona Humane Society said they are currently caring for nearly 1,200 sick, injured and abused pets and can use the community's help. Here are ways they can do so.
•Adopt: With more than 200 pets currently waiting for their forever homes, those looking to add a furry friend to their family are encouraged to visit azhumane.org/adopt.
•AHS will be hosting a 50% off adoption special starting Friday, September 29-Sunday, October 1 for ALL pets to help clear much-needed kennel space!
•Foster: Those looking to help immediately can contact our Foster Department at azhumane.org/foster regarding other pets not involved in this case who need temporary care. Fostering opens a kennel for other animals who are waiting for care.
•Donate: As an independent nonprofit, AHS does not receive government funding or funding from other humane societies. Donations can be made at azhumane.org/donate.
>> This is a developing story; additional details with be added as they become available.
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