GARDINER — An investigation is underway following the seizure of 41 animals from a property in the 276000 block of U.S. Highway 101 on Thursday.
The seizure was of seven puppies, 10 adult dogs and 24 goats and chickens, the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office said in a news release.
At least one dog had visible injuries, the release said, without specifying them.
Paul Becker, president of the Jefferson County Humane Society, said his organization is housing the many of the dogs. Center Valley Animal Rescue is housing the goats and chickens and some dogs.
He identified the dogs as rare Anatolian kangals, which he said were being bred in a “classic puppy mill.”
They were living under an unoccupied cabin, said Becker.
He said the owner came by the one-acre property occasionally to feed the animals.
Sheriff Dave Stanko described the dogs as “very skinny” and said they put their tails between their legs when the deputies arrived on the property.
The owner has not yet been identified.
Sheriff’s Office Animal Control deputies served a search warrant at the property following a six-week investigation by Deputy Bruce Turner into animal cruelty and negligence at the property, according to the release.
Stanko said Turner began the investigation following citizen complaints that animals were “being neglected and possibly abused.”
When the investigation is complete, the case will be sent to the Jefferson County Prosecutor for charges against the operator of the facility.
The shoulder along U.S. Highway 101 was closed for several hours to allow the safe removal of the animals.
