Some of the Dogs Seized from a Rockville, Maryland, Home on January 1, Are Available for Adoption

More than 60 dogs seized from a Rockville, Maryland, home on Jan. 1 are in legal custody of the Montgomery County Animal Services Division.

Authorities came to the house in the 13000 block of Glen Mill Road for the first time on Dec. 31, following up on a dog bite case. While there, they began to suspect the presence of many animals, but police said the homeowner didn't cooperate with their requests.

They returned to the home on New Year’s Day at about 6:30 p.m. with a warrant and searched the home. Officials removed 66 dogs and took them to the Montgomery County Animal Services and Adoption Center in Derwood, Maryland.

Several of the dogs required immediate medical attention. Three of the 66 dogs had to be humanely euthanized because they suffered from severe medical conditions that were likely a source of extreme pain.

The rest of the dogs were evaluated, bathed and groomed. The shelter said some of the dogs are ready for adoption while others, about half of the group, will go to rescue partners or other regional shelters that can support the special needs of the dogs.

Because the case is still under investigation, the shelter has not released information about the homeowner or the environment in which the animals were kept. Investigators have not filed charges to date.

For information about how to adopt the dogs, please visit the Montgomery County Animal Services & Adoption Center. 

Related: Animal Control Officers Seized a Total of 66 Dogsfrom a Home in Rockville, Maryland

                   Kenya is an 8-year-old female Pit Bull available for adoption.

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The Rescue of 66 Dogs from a Dilapidated Rockville Home Being Treated as a ‘Criminal Case’

Rockville, Maryland - The staff at the Montgomery County Animal Services Center remains perplexed after staff there rescued 66 dogs from a dilapidated Rockville home on Friday, January 1st.

"We literally doubled our dog population in one day," Tom Koenig, director of Montgomery County Animal Services, told ABC7. "It's remarkable to me."

On Thursday, December 31st, animal control officers responded to a dog bite call at a home along the 13200 block of Glen Mill Road. While on-site, the female homeowner acted hostile and was overall uncooperative. Officers sensed a large number of dogs were inside her three-bedroom home. They wrote a report and obtained a search warrant. Then around 6:30 p.m. Friday, they returned, search warrant in tow, and discovered the 66 dogs of all shapes, sizes and breeds.

It took 16 hours for staff to transport, catalog, and provide medical care to every animal over the holiday weekend. Although specific treatment has not been disclosed, Koenig says it ran the gamut from minor to major remedies.

Now, officers are constructing a criminal case. Was this a dog fighting ring? A puppy mill? Or a homegrown animal rescue gone awry? Investigators have their suspicions, but have not publicly identified the alleged motive.

"The homeowner could certainly face charges, but that has not been decided yet," Koenig added. "We'll charge as the law provides and there will be due diligence in that regard."

The criminal evidence list is long. It includes all 66 dogs, which has prevented the animal services center from releasing photos or pictures of the rescued animals.

"It was not healthy for them and we feel now they are in a better situation with us than they were there," Koenig concluded.

Veterinarians hope all 66 dogs will one day be available for public adoption, but many have a long road to recovery.

Related: Animal Control Officers Seized a Total of 66 Dogs from a Home in Rockville, Maryland

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Animal Control Officers Seized a Total of 66 Dogs from a Home in Rockville, Maryland

Rockville, Maryland - More than 60 dogs were seized Friday evening from a home in Rockville after Montgomery County animal service officers found the dogs living in unfit conditions.

Officers seized a total of 66 dogs from the home, some of which were in need of immediate medical attention.

According to animal services, officers were called to the home Thursday evening while investigating a dog bite case. While there, the officers made several notes about the property and suspected a large number of animals lived inside the home.

The homeowner was also uncooperative with officers and did not aid them in locating the dog involved in the bite case, animal services said.

The dogs were found to be in varying medical and behavioral conditions and additional examinations will be conducted.

An investigation is pending and the lead investigator for animal services said the case is "complex due to its size."

The dogs are currently being cared for by animal services.

Jill Asman lives two houses down from the suspect. She said, “I could hear the dogs barking at night when everything else was quiet, but I had no idea it was that many dogs.”

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