Cape Coral police find 20 dogs living in inhumane conditions

On Friday, Lee County Domestic Animal services seized 20 dogs living in inhumane and squalid conditions in a home along Southwest 12th Lane in Cape Coral. Officers say the dogs were covered in their own feces.

The owner of the home, Kathleen Hamelin, says she was training them to become therapy dogs.

Christian O’Rourke says there were many different breeds: “Bernards and golden retrievers, couple poodles couple mixed, mixed breed. So, a mix of big and small.”

According to a Cape Coral police report, some of the dogs appeared to be emaciated, as well as being covered in urine and feces.

“She’s very caring,” O’Rourke said. “That was like her life, but, unfortunately, I think… was just a little too much for her to handle. They’re always getting out and running away. We tried to help out as much as we could, you know, corralling them back in.”

According to the homeowner, the dogs’ living conditions deteriorated when the fence in the backyard was damaged.

Hamelin says, “Yeah they were, yeah they were,” about the dogs being the loves of her life.

Neighbors say they’re thankful that the dogs are now receiving help.

“Hopefully, they’re gonna get medical attention and be taken care of,” said O’Rourke.  “I think it just became too much for her. She was elderly. I know she was sick. I think just… people around the neighborhood were concerned, and concerned for the health of dogs and for her as well.”

Hamelin has been issued 20 criminal citations from Lee County Animal Services.

According to LCDAS, none of the 20 dogs have been euthanized and more than half have already have gone to its adoption center and have been adopted into new homes.