Twenty dogs seized from Bridgeville home

A Bridgeville couple face animal cruelty charges after animal welfare officials say they found 20 dogs suffering from various maladies.

 

Delaware Animal Services officers went to a home on Ida Lane Aug. 14 and found one dog lying unresponsive in the yard. The male dog was barely alive, extremely emaciated and missing most of its fur, officials said. The dog was rushed to a veterinarian, but his condition was so severe, he had to be euthanized.

 

After executing a search warrant, officials said they found 19 more dogs of varying breeds and ages inside and outdoors on the property, including a nursing Boston terrier with six puppies, five alive and one deceased. Many of the dogs had severe skin issues and suffered from sarcoptic mange, a highly contagious infection caused by burrowing mites, officials said. Some were malnourished and underweight, and others were in cramped housing with restricted movement, said officials.

 

DAS charged a man, 42, and a woman, 40, with five misdemeanor counts of animal cruelty neglect, six dog housing violations and 13 dog license violations. Both were released on their own recognizance.

 

Officials said the anonymous tip they received allowed them to intervene, and reporting suspected animal cruelty is important.

 

All dogs were taken to Brandywine Valley SPCA, where they are receiving medical treatment and care, officials said.