By Allyson Dix
For Glasgow News 1
More than 240 dogs have been removed from a property in Metcalfe County following what animal rescue officials describe as a suspected large-scale backyard breeding operation, leaving many animals suffering from severe medical conditions and injuries.
Kelly Basham, a director with Guardians of Rescue, a non-profit organization headquartered in New York, said the agency began removing dogs from a single-family residence on Breeding Road on July 29 and continued the operation over the next three days.
Basham said she oversees criminal animal cruelty investigations throughout the northeastern and southeastern United States, including large-scale puppy mill investigations, backyard breeding operations, and dog fighting investigations, among other cases.
Donna Lafever, director of Metcalfe County’s animal shelter and wife of local veterinarian, Dr. David Lafever, said initial concerns were raised in late June from an out-of-state caller.
Donna said an anonymous person initially reported a suspected hoarding situation ranging between 50 and 75 dogs. Knowing such a large number of dogs would be beyond her ability to help, Donna said she reached out to a friend who is also a canine rescue and advocate.
They were able to secure an agreement with the owners to begin removing the dogs ten at a time, providing medical treatment for mange, and then ultimately transferring them into rescue after being vaccinated.
After the first ten, Donna said the owners stopped working with the help they were receiving.
Seventeen other dogs were removed between the owners and third person attempting to help.
Donna received another phone call on July 25, noting concerns of 100 to 150 dogs at the same address.
“That’s when I realized that we needed more help,” Donna said. “That’s when Guardians of Rescue took over.”
“I immediately acted,” Basham with Guardians of Rescue said on July 31. “I’m glad that we did because our agency, over the last three days, has pulled 227 dogs off the single-family residence.”
It is suspected that the total number of dogs between Donna, Guardians of Rescue, and another person totals about 244 before the end of last week.
A dog rescued from a breeding operation in Metcalfe County is pictured. Submitted by Guardians of Rescue
Basham described the property where the dogs were living as difficult to access and secluded amid weeds as tall as seven feet. Photos and videos posted on the agency’s social media page show overgrown vegetation with multiple dogs in cages scattered throughout.
“When we go into these situations, we always expect the worst of the worst,” Basham said.
She said every dog appeared to be suffering from an upper respiratory illness and suffering from mange, a skin disease caused by parasitic mites. She also said some had eye infections, one puppy was found with a broken leg, and another dog was suffering with a severe laceration around its entire abdomen.
Each dog rescued through Guardians of Rescue is receiving an identification number, vaccinations, treatment for mange, and other medical care before being transferred to rescue partners.
Basham said the organization continues to monitor the property to ensure no animals remain despite the financial and emotional toll a rescue of this nature can take.
“It’s very emotional because you see these dogs that have lived in this all of their life,” Basham said. “Rescuing one and not knowing if there’s one left behind is the heartbreaking thing, but the good news is my team is still watching, and [we plan] to make several trips back to make sure there’s no other dogs there.”
A senior dog was rushed from the property during the rescue to a veterinarian for immediate medical care due to “erratic” breathing, Basham said.
Donna said one Rottweiler was unable to walk due to the crate size it had been living in.
According to Basham, the dogs were voluntarily surrendered after informing the property owner that authorities would seek a warrant to seize the animals if they were not relinquished.
Obtaining a voluntary surrender allows animals to receive immediate medical care and placement without a lengthy court hold on the animals, Basham explained.
However, she emphasized that surrendering animals does not prevent potential criminal charges under Kentucky law.
“I’m not going to let this go,” Basham said, explaining that the rescue has already cost the organization thousands of dollars in veterinary care, medications, and supplies.
Basham said she intends to present the case to the appropriate prosecutor once her investigation is complete. She said she worked with the Kentucky State Police during the rescue and plans to provide evidence she believes will support criminal charges.
Despite attempts, Glasgow News 1 has not received responses from Kentucky State Police or Metcalfe County Attorney Sharon Howard. Additionally, an e-mail inquiry to the owners has went unanswered.
Some dogs are expected to remain in the organization’s care, including a pregnant senior Chihuahua-pug mix whose pregnancy is too advanced to safely intervene.
When it comes to crisis animal rescues such as this, Basham said while her organization leads the operation, success would not be possible without the help of established rescue partners.
“It takes everybody to make these things work, and we’re so grateful for all of our rescue partners because there is not a shelter that can take this many dogs,” Basham said.
Partners assisting Guardians of Rescue include: Paws of War, KY Hopeful Paws, Fairy Tales, Paws Angels, The Arrow Fund, Woodstock, Rescue Haven, Inc., Adopt A Pit, Furever Brooke Haven, Tails and Trails, and Saving Lives.
As the dogs take their first steps towards healing and finding their forever homes, the agency is seeking donations to help offset the costs of treating the rescued dogs, either through https://guardiansofrescue.org or on the organization’s Amazon wish list.
Allegations of animal neglect and cruelty described in this article are statements made by the rescue organization. Criminal charges had not been filed at the time of publication.
A dog rescued from a breeding operation in Metcalfe County is pictured. Submitted by Guardians of Rescue
Puppies rescued from a breeding operation in Metcalfe County are pictured. Submitted by Guardians of Rescue
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