Nearly 100 Starving Dogs Trapped Inside Pennsylvania Home Rescued, Several Puppies Found Dead

Nearly 100 starving dogs were found locked up and several canines dead inside a home in Fayette County, Pennsylvania, on Monday.

A rescue operation was carried out with the assistance of local police and nonprofit Cross Your Paws Rescue, following which Uniontown police lieutenant Thomas Kolencik confirmed 99 dogs and two cats were saved from the home located along Coffee Street. The dogs are now being taken care of by the rescue organization.

“After a full day of respirators and assistance from authorities, we have all of the dogs out of this hell they had been living in for far too long,” Cross Your Paws Rescue said in a Facebook post.

The incident came to light after neighbors alerted authorities to the home because of the foul smell and intense barking. Cross Your Paws’ rescue workers arrived at the scene wearing full-body protective gear. They said the odor was unbearable and it was difficult to get inside the house. Crews were only able to stay inside 10 minutes at a time, CBS Pittsburgh reported.

The police said a mother and her son were hoarding the dogs, and trying to smuggle some of the puppies out of the house. They were wrapping the puppies in sheets before taking them out of the house.

Most of the dogs found inside the house were malnourished and scared, Cross Your Paws said. They added there were some mother dogs in the house in the middle of giving birth. Many puppies were also found dead.

“When we were finally allowed into the house, I opened the door and there were three puppies being born right when I was walking in. One still had the umbilical cord attached. I instantly started tearing up. It was so hard to see,” Julie Cole with Cross Your Paws said.

Cross Your Paws said they are providing care for the dogs and the puppies were placed back in the care of their mothers for their milk and nurturing.

“Once we finally got them back to the kennel where they are being boarded, we looked for the mamas with milk and we found them. We have five litters of puppies today,” Cole said.

Authorities said an investigation was underway into the incident. It remains unclear if there were any arrests made in connection to the case.