WASHINGTON — She was running a rescue operation that claimed it was “helping dogs in high-kill shelters escape death and find loving forever homes.”
But now Katherine Ting Tiong, 47, of Rockville faces sentencing on 66 counts of animal cruelty.
The case raises questions about dog rescue operations: How can a potential adopter be sure that the dog they hope to bring home is coming from a responsible rescue group that is giving each dog adequate care?
“There are very few laws in any state that actually describe what a rescue group is or hold them to any standards,” said Cory Smith, director of public policy at the Humane Society of the United States.
Smith said there is little oversight over rescue groups, which tend to be volunteer-run organizations.
Dog bite investigation leads to rescue of 66 dogs
In January, Montgomery County police and animal services officers were called to Tiong’s home to investigate a dog bite.
Police said they were told that there were 20 dogs in the house. But they found 66 dogs living in conditions that left officers and animal services staffers gagging as they removed animals from the home.
Many of the dogs were found with matted coats and left in urine-soaked crates.
The Montgomery County Animal Services and Adoption Center took in the dogs, which were later checked over by veterinarians. One of the dogs had to be euthanized, and the rest were evaluated for future adoption.
Smith said that while people would expect that a rescue group should be taking good care of the animals in their charge, the cases like what happened in Rockville highlight potential issues that can arise in a field where there is so little oversight.
But, according to Smith, there’s a flip side: If regulations prove burdensome, that could discourage rescue efforts.
“For the most part, there’s very good work being done by largely volunteer rescue forces — and they’re saving animals’ lives,” Smith said.
Finding a shelter you can trust
So how do you make sure that when you decide to adopt an animal, you’re supporting the groups that have made sure the dogs or cats in their care have been treated well?
Smith said start at your local shelter, where experienced staff can help match you with the pet that will be the best match for you. Many shelters work hand-in-hand with volunteers who foster animals in their own homes, and those “foster parents,” in most cases, are screened by the shelter.
Need help in finding your next best buddy? The HSUS has partnered with The Shelter Project.
And locally you can check out:
- Washington Animal Rescue League, warl.org
- Washington Humane Society, washhumane.org
- Animal Welfare League of Arlington, awla.org
- Animal Welfare League of Alexandria, alexandriaanimals.org
- Fairfax County Animal Shelter
- Frederick County Animal Control
- Prince George’s County Animal Management Services
