Tri-state animal rescues team up to help save hundreds of dogs in hoarding case

WILLIAMSBURG, Ky. (WXIX) – Several local rescues are helping solve a major hoarding case involving hundreds of dogs that were removed from a Kentucky property.

A non-profit organization, Rescue Guardiansled the efforts to save the animals.

Margaret Coplen, Vice President of All dogs come from heaven Amelia, Ohio rescue said they were involved in the case. She reports that 200 animals were on the Williamsburg property – living in unsafe storage conditions – when rescuers arrived.

“I’m sorry, I’m getting a little emotional. You don’t get used to it,” says Coplen. “Each case you deal with is as serious or comparable to the previous one, and that doesn’t seem to be changing.”

According to Coplen, the rescuers who were on the scene had to wear hazmat suits for their own protection.

“A house and property literally as bad as ever,” says Coplen. “The dogs lived outside in extreme dirt, and the family not only hoarded animals, but also objects. Hundreds of hundreds of garbage bags outside the building.

Coplen and others with All Dogs Rescue have taken in 51 dogs linked to the case. She said they brought them back to the Cincinnati area and have since placed 39 of them with other relief organizations.

Most are small, young dogs, although there are litters of puppies. Some of the puppies, Coplen says, have been diagnosed with parvo, which is often fatal.

“There is scabies. There are eye infections. There’s kennel cough,” Coplen says.

Coplen thinks the owners of the animals will not be criminally prosecuted for returning the dogs.

“They were a couple who, like a lot of hoarders, started out with good intentions, and it just got worse and escalated and escalated,” she says. “If you are overwhelmed, reach out. Someone will help.

The animal shelter in that area was already at capacity, so Coplen said he also took in 26 dogs from that facility to help ease the load at the Kentucky shelter.

Above Rescue Guardians and All dogs come from heavenCoplen said several other agencies were involved, including:

Cabin Critter Rescue – caught 10 dogs

Rescue of Hope Fur Paws – caught six dogs

All Starr Pet Rescue – caught 19 dogs

Deb’s dogs – took three dogs

Lucky Tales Rescue – took two dogs

Adoption First Animal Rescue KY – took four dogs

furgotten dog rescue – caught five dogs

All organizations are always looking for foster families, volunteers, adopters and donations to help them in cases like this.

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