PUTNAM COUNTY — The Putnam County Sheriff's Office is continuing to investigate after 33 dogs were seized from a property Friday.
Putnam County Corporal Scott Ducker tells WRTV the dogs were seized after a search warrant on the property, located in the southwestern part of the county. 32 German Shepherds and one rottweiler were found in "deplorable conditions."
"Our detectives and animal control are currently investigating this as a possible criminal case," Ducker said in an email. "As of right now, most of the dogs are located outside at the Putnam County Animal Shelter."
Several rescue groups have come to help with cleaning, feeding and finding shelter for the dogs.
Putnam County Animal Care and Control took in 26 of the dogs. Volunteer Tammy Eastham tells WRTV some of the dogs were malnourished and dehydrated. Like many shelters, Putnam County Animal Care and Control is over capacity.
"Anytime that this happens with any shelter ... you just don't know where to start," Eastham said. "It's so overwhelming, knowing you're already overwhelmed, because you're over capacity and then you have this scenario that comes into play."
Eastham and others spent Saturday contacting rescue groups and taking care of the dogs. One moment, though, had an emotional impact on her.
"Somebody took a ball and started throwing it. I'm gonna be honest, I teared up because again, they're so resilient, and everything that they've just went through — they still want to play, and they just want to be with people," Eastman said. "We're the voice for these animals, and we will jump in and we will do whatever we need to do to rescue them and save them and give them a chance to have a life and a loving home."
Eastham says she's noticed a change in the dogs already and their eyes are lighting up.
Three of the dogs are at a veterinarian getting emergency medical care, and the other four are at a rescue shelter in Owen County, according to Ducker.
Eastham says they've had an overwhelming amount of support and donations of kennels to house the dogs. If you'd like to help, the sheriff's office shared links to the shelter's Amazon wishlist and Venmo.
Last week, 28 dogs were seized from an Indianapolis home.
-
Lawmakers pass bills to protect minors online, strengthen missing youth alerts
Indiana's House and Senate have passed two bills aimed at protecting children from online dangers and strengthening protections for missing youth. Both measures are now on the governor's desk.
Growing concern surrounding online grooming following case in Hamilton County
A Hamilton County case involving a teenager and an adult who police say met through Snapchat is raising concerns about the dangers children face online.
Look up, Indiana: See 6 planets this weekend, and a lunar eclipse next week
If you enjoy celestial events, be sure to look up at the night sky on Friday and Saturday. From a planetary parade to a total lunar eclipse, there'll be plenty to see, even without a telescope.
96th Street bridge connects Indianapolis and Fishers along Nickel Plate Trail
A new pedestrian bridge is connecting Indianapolis and Fishers along the Nickel Plate Trail, giving walkers, runners and cyclists a safer, more seamless route between the two cities.
