Middleboro Home Condemned, 17 Dogs Rescued in Animal Welfare Case

MIDDLEBORO (WBSM) — More than a dozen dogs in need of medical care were removed as a house was condemned by Middleboro town officials Friday.

Horses, two cats, a turtle and a guinea pig were also part of the investigation.

According to Town Manager Jay McGrail and Health Agent Kayla Smith, Middleboro Animal Control responded to 53 Precinct Street to “execute an administrative warrant as part of an animal welfare investigation.”

The Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Law Enforcement Department simultaneously executed a criminal warrant regarding horses on the property.

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According to McGrail and Smith, Animal Control officers located 17 dogs needing medical care inside the home, including one in urgent need of attention that was removed from the house and is now under the care of Animal Control.

The Health Department will remove the other 17 dogs with support of other agencies such as Wareham Animal Control.

McGrail and Smith said the dogs were all unregistered and “had no access to food or water and lived in filth.”

Two cats, a turtle and a guinea pig were also found inside the home and will be removed by the Health Department.

The house was condemned because the Health Department determined it to be a health hazard. The Middleboro Fire Department also determined it was a fire hazard.

McGrail and Smith said Middleboro Police have not filed any criminal charges at this time but that the investigation remains active and ongoing.