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Staff and volunteers with the South Suburban Humane Society in Chicago Heights have been caring for nearly 50 dogs rescued from a hoarding situation in the Illinois town of Peotone.
“All of them appear to be under-socialized,” Emily Klehm, CEO of the humane society, told the Chicago Tribune. “They’re all in need of a lot of TLC.
The situation was discovered on October 26 after emergency medical staff responded to a call for a woman needing assistance at the property. Thirteen dogs were removed immediately. Humane Society workers returned not long after and removed 34 more dogs, many of which needed immediate medical attention.
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Klehm said that some had tumors and partial blindess; several were clearly malnourished.
“There was no running water (in the home),” Klehm said. “There was just filth and feces everywhere.”
The dog hoard were mostly small breeds — Chihuahuas, Yorkies, dachshunds and pugs. One dog passed away. Five are being treated by veterinarians. The rest have been distributed to volunteer foster homes where they will receive proper care.
“We’re really grateful for the response that we’ve had (from foster volunteers),” Klehm said.
A bulk of the dogs could be available for adoption in about two weeks, she said. Those interested should follow the organization’s Facebook page for updates and information.
Will County officials said the home in which the animals were living has been deemed uninhabitable. The owner, who voluntarily signed the dogs over to the Humane Society, has not been charged yet, but Klehm said it was clear that residents were running a puppy mill.
