MERRIMAC, MASS. (WHDH) - Dozens of dogs were removed from an animal hoarding situation at a home in Merrimac Tuesday, officials said.
Authorities removed 60 boxer dogs from a home on Locust Grove Road after they were voluntarily surrendered by the homeowner, according to the Merrimac Police Department.
The removal was part of an investigation into reports of animal hoarding and overcrowding, police said. Each dog was taken into custody and placed into shelters by the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.
“It was unsanitary conditions, as you can imagine, with that number of dogs in one space,” said Mike Keiley, MSPCA-Angell vice president of animal protection.
“We were a bit surprised by the number, totals that we ended up with,” he continued. “Their condition really varies from fairly stable to thin and some having some pretty significant, acute medical issues.”
The canines range in age from 8-day-old newborn puppies to seniors, MSPCA-Angell said. The investigation involves officers from Merrimac, Windham, N.H., and Haverhill, in addition to the MSPCA.
“It was difficult to see, for sure. It was a tough call,” Merrimac Police Chief Eric Shears said. “We had a logistical problem, what are we going to do with all these dogs?”
Police searched another property in Haverhill as part of the investigation, but did not find any dogs. However, the investigation is ongoing, police said.
Merrimac police ask anyone with information to call the department at 978-346-8321. No charges have been filed as of Wednesday evening.
By taking on the rescue, the MSPCA said it has maxed out three of its shelters in Massachusetts, at a time when shelters nationwide are facing “crisis levels” of dogs in need of homes.
“We know what the stakes are right now if our operations were to be impacted by this case, so we are moving fast with some of these younger and more resilient dogs into homes,” Keiley said.
The boxers are slated to be available for adoption as soon as June 17 in Boston, Methuen, and Salem, police said. Some of the dogs will require more time for medical and behavioral evaluations, the MSPCA said.
Prospective adopters should monitor mspca.org/adoptadog and those who wish to donate to the MSPCA to help offset the cost of care can do so at www.mspca.org/boxers.
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