Currituck seizes 21 dogs living in poor conditions

This crated mother and her litter of puppies were among the 21 dogs seized from a Currituck residence for alleged mistreatment by the Currituck Animal Services and Control agency on Sunday.
From staff reports
Tuesday, January 15, 2019
CURRITUCK — Currituck County’s animal control officers seized more than 20 dogs living in poor conditions from their owners on Sunday.
Gina Maurer, director of animal services and control for Currituck County, said Tuesday the seizure of 21 dogs, including three mothers and 18 puppies, was prompted by a complaint from a concerned citizen.
Maurer declined to release the names of those living at the residence where the dogs were seized or specify their address, other than “Currituck.”
“It will be public knowledge soon,” she said.
County officials said in a press release that animal cruelty charges are pending against the dogs’ owners.
Maurer also declined to discuss the conditions they dogs were living in detail, but said there were “exigent circumstances” requiring their removal.
“Obviously it was enough to lead us to seize the animals,” she said.
According to Maurer, two of the mother dogs were found in crates with their puppies, while the third was found in an indoor enclosure with hers. One of the mothers was crated with nine puppies; another had six puppies in her crate. The three litters of puppies seem to have been born two to three weeks apart and none of the puppies were older than six weeks, she said.
Some of the animals had been exposed to the elements because they were found outside the residence, Maurer said. However, those inside the house were in a place that didn’t appear to be regulated for temperature, she said.
“They were all exposed to varying temperatures,” Maurer said.
All 21 dogs are currently being cared for at the Currituck Animal Shelter. While officials have health concerns about all 21 animals, none suffer from what appear to be life-threatening injuries or illnesses, Maurer said.
“They are very, very happy — and thawed out,” she said.
While not the largest seizure of mistreated animals in her 17 years with animal control, Sunday’s ranks as “one of the biggest,” Maurer said.