Authorities in Ontario County are asking the public for help after dozens of dogs were seized from a home at 7047 Lawyer Road in Naples.
In the home, 73 Carin terriers or mixed-breed terriers, were covered with fleas and matted hair. They were taken to a shelter in Canandaigua on Wednesday night after a complaint came in about several dogs running in the road.
Dianne Faas, shelter manager at the Ontario County Humane Society, says the dogs are also being treated for internal parasites. She thinks this was a case of animal hoarding.
"My best guess at this point is that the couple started with a few and didn't get them neutered properly and then it just grew and grew and grew to this point," said Faas.
The Humane Society is asking for monetary donations to cover the costs of veterinary treatments as well as donations of dog food and treats, blankets, toys, and cleaning supplies.
Faas also urges any prospective pet owners to take a look at the adoptable dogs and cats on the humane society's website. They need to free up space in the shelter.
"The capacity at this time...we're a little tight," Fass said, "but we're taking fosters' names and phone numbers so when the dust settles and I get (the terriers) treated properly, we can start placing them in foster homes."
Faas expects the dogs to be put up for adoption at some point, but not before the legal proceedings for their owners are complete.
Police charged 70-year old Jane Justice and 65-year old Richard Justice of Naples each with 73 counts of animal cruelty and failure to provide food and water to an impounded animal, all misdemeanors.
Code enforcement officers deemed the Justice's home unsafe and uninhabitatable due to unsanitary conditions.
