CHILTON (WLUK) — Dozens of dogs rescued from a home in the town of Calumet in Fond du Lac County are receiving care and undergoing medical evaluation after being found in a state of what officials called “deplorable” neglect.
“In all my years in animal welfare, I have not seen animals in this amount of neglect and cruelty. Ever,” says Jennifer Schultz, the manager of the Eastshore Humane Association in Chilton.
This week, a welfare check at a Fond du Lac County home resulted in the discovery of a dire animal neglect situation.
“At that time, they called us and said, ‘We need your help,'” Schultz says. “We came with cars full of crates and kennels to start helping them pull the dogs out of the home.”
The shelter went from housing 14 dogs to 84 in a matter of hours.
“We only can facilitate about 20 dogs in our kennels, so we had to use makeshift kennels, we had to set things up and start that intake process,”Schultz says.
70 dogs, some of which have now been taken in by other local shelters, have a long road to recovery.
“Ranging in broken teeth, broken limbs, broken tails. The matting of feces and urine in the fur was extreme,” Schultz adds.
Schultz says the dogs are beginning to get the care they need, like grooming and baths, but most of them are awaiting medical analysis from a vet. Most should be ready for adoption in the coming weeks and months, but others may not survive.
There are dogs that are in severe, severe neglect, prognosis is very grim, but we’re getting them supportive care at this time until professional comes in and says if they need to be humanely euthanized.
The most severe case involves a female dog with missing toes and dead tissue on her back leg.
“We’re hopeful we can get her some treatment and save her,” Schultz says.
“We’re a life-saving shelter, a no-kill shelter, our main goal is to do everything possible to get these animals on the road to recovery and make them happy, healthy adoptable pets for future families,” Schultz adds.
While their small operation is overwhelmed by work, the community is stepping up.
“We would not be able to do it without the people that have been coming in our building the last 24 hours and donating. I mean, it’s phenomenal to see this kind of outreach, it’s emotional for us. To know that there are people out there who are still willing to help and see animals as a part of their family and know they need that love and attention is all that we could ever ask for and that’s why we continue to do what we’re doing,” Schultz says.
The shelter’s entrance is filled with donated dog supplies, food and treats, but not everything is for the animals.
“I thought, ‘Well, what about the poor workers? Don’t they get treats?’ So I stopped by Kwik Trip and got them some glazers. Everyone can use some glazers and maybe the sugar high will help them get their stuff done more quickly,” says Chilton resident Thomas Schmitt.
For these dogs and workers, it’s a long road ahead.
“On one hand, your heart is broken because you see the horror of the dogs, but your heart is filled with gladness because you see that there are people that are willing and able to help,” Schmitt adds.
The Eastshore Humane Association is still accepting donations from those interested in helping. After a major influx in donations of dog food, the shelter says the most needed items include cleaning supplies, especially bleach and laundry detergent. They are also accepting blankets, bowls, dog collars for small dogs, as well as monetary donations.
The Fond du Lac County Sheriff’s Office says an investigation remains open and active, and charges are expected to be filed once the investigation is complete.
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