Six dogs were seized from a house in Northeast D.C. when they were found living in filthy conditions, the Humane Rescue Alliance said Tuesday.
The alliance said in a statement that when their humane law enforcement officers got to 2527 North Capitol St. NE Tuesday morning to enforce a search and seizure warrant, they could smell the foul conditions from outside.
“Even from the front door, the odor from the waste of the animals was so strong and so powerful, that some officers were physically ill,” Chis Schindler, vice president of HRA’s field services, told WTOP.
When they went in, they found two adult dogs and four puppies in crates, living in their own feces and urine and without access to food or water.
“These animals were living in this,” Schindler said. “They were living in little cages, sitting in their own waste, without food or water, so it was a really sad sight for our officers obviously.”
In addition to making some officers sick, the smell made the officers’ eyes water, the alliance said.
“These dogs were begging for attention from our officers and have clearly lived a life of neglect for far too long,” Schindler said in the statement.
The dogs are in the care of the HRA and will be examined and treated by veterinarians. One of the dogs has an eye injury, Schindler said.
The alliance started investigating the address after an anonymous tip, and obtained a warrant after several more tips came in. Schindler added that finding these cases can be difficult because the animals are often kept out of sight.
“So it took diligent investigation by our humane law enforcement officers as well as the community’s help, seeing something and saying something, that helped us put together this case,” Schindler said.
Anyone who suspects animal abuse or negligence is urged to call the Humane Rescue Alliance at 202-723-5730.
WTOP’s Michelle Basch contributed to this report.
