MIDDLEBORO, MASS. (WHDH) - The Middleboro Health Department condemned a house Friday where animal control officers found 17 dogs needing medical care, along with an array of other animals, according to the town.
Animal control officers responded to 53 Precinct St. with a warrant for an animal welfare investigation, Middleboro Town Manager James McGrail said in a statement. At the same time, the law department division of the MSPCA executed a warrant in connection with horses on the property, the town said.
The 17 dogs “lived in filth” inside the home and did not have access to food or water, McGrail said. Officials also found two cats, a turtle, and a guinea pig inside, he said.
“They were in cages, in dog kennels, with urine and feces inside the kennels without food, without water. Some were emaciated,” said Middleboro Animal Control Officer Kevin Racicot.
One dog needing “urgent medical attention” was immediately taken by animal control officers, according to the statement.
The home was condemned because officials determined it to be a health hazard and a fire hazard, McGrail said.
“Why we thought that the house was a safety concern was the amount of hoarding conditions that was ongoing. We actually had a hard time entering the structure altogether. There were piles of trash everywhere,” said Middleboro Fire Department Chief Owen Thompson.
Middleboro Health Director Kayla Smith said she believed the conditions of the home could lead to an influx of rodents.
Officials said the 16 remaining dogs and other animals found inside were removed by the Middleboro Health Department, with the help of additional agencies, including Wareham Animal Control.
“Just a scary situation in the community that we take very seriously. Obviously everyone in our community cares about their animals. We’re a farming community. We take it pretty seriously,” McGrail said at a press conference.
No criminal charges had been filed as of Friday afternoon.
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