PENNSVILLE, NJ (CBS) — Dozens of dogs infested with fleas have been removed from a South Jersey home. An animal rescue service has risen to bring them back to health, but community help is needed.
Animal Control pulled back to Newcomb Lane in Pennsville on Tuesday morning after neighbors told Eyewitness News they’ve been complaining for weeks about dogs howling and knocking over trash cans.
37 dogs have been removed from a home in Pennsville, NJ in the past two days. We were told that the dogs were living in appalling conditions and in bad shape. @RRRescues she is now healthy again and is looking for foster families. An investigation is now underway. @CBSPhilly pic.twitter.com/m78dkDqgl7
— Ryan Hughes (@HughesCBS3) August 9, 2022
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“We thought there might be three or four dogs outside and maybe three or four inside,” Wanda Buckalew said. “I saved quite a few that got hit on this road time and time again.”
But officials say 37 dogs living in appalling conditions have been removed from the home in the past two days.
“It’s one of the worst cases we’ve seen,” Courtney Prinski said. “Many of these dogs have little to no fur on their bodies and extensive sores from the fleas they’ve been fighting. It’s incredibly heartbreaking. My eyes have been watering many times over the past two days watching these guys come in.”
Renee’s Rescues, a local nonprofit volunteer group, was called in to provide immediate medical attention to the dogs. They are Chihuahua mixes from 5 weeks to 7 years old.
The rescue says the owners agreed to surrender the animals.
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The dogs are now being shot and placed with foster homes.
“We are completely dependent on donations for the care of these dogs and every dollar you donate goes directly to care for these puppies,” Pinski said.
The Pennsville County Police Department says no charges are being filed at this time and the owners have serious health problems.
As for the dogs, they have a long road of healing ahead of them.
“In addition to their physical ailments, these dogs are incredibly afraid of humans,” Pinski said.
The dogs won’t be able to be adopted for a few weeks until they are in much better shape.
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To donate to Renee’s Rescues, click here.