Dozens of dogs found in ‘deplorable’ conditions at Kentucky home, police say

ESTILL COUNTY, Ky. (WKYT) - Neighbors say it’s been common to hear a lot of barking coming from a home on Kissey Branch Road and complaints brought police out late Tuesday night.

“We got an anonymous tip that there were 50 to 60 dogs in a home that were being neglected,” said Ashley Collins with the Estill County Animal Shelter.

Police say they ended up finding 73 dogs in horrible conditions. Many had matted fur and were covered in fleas.

“I think they had lived in the crates for quite some time, in their own feces and urine. They were happy to have human interaction,” Collins said.

Only a few of the dogs were brought to the animal shelter because it was already nearly full.

“So we are working with vets, local vets. We are working with rescues all around. Trying to get other rescues in here to start pulling some of them.”

Rescue workers worked from 11 pm Tuesday night to Wednesday morning. Paws 4 The Cause say they are on the phone with rescue groups from around the country to help. On their Facebook page they said this was a red alert case for them.

Estill County deputies were assisted by state police and they arrested Delbert Webber on second degree animal cruelty charges. He agreed to surrender the dogs—described as Maltese mixed and “malti-poos.”

“I believe it was breeding. The owner did not disclose a lot of information to us. That is why it is still under investigation.”

All the dogs are still being checked out by vets. Officials say at least one has died but they are hopeful most will survive.

The dogs are said to be Maltese mixes and some “maltipoo,” which is a mix of Maltese and poodle.

We have since learned from Paws 4 the Cause that one of the dogs in this case has died, but animal control officials were optimistic that most should be able to recover.

This is a developing story.

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