Rescues in Florida help 65 neglected dogs removed from Hendry County home

Reporter: Gail Levy Writer: Jasmine Singletary
Published: Updated:
Neglected dogs wander a filthy yard outside a home in Hendry County. Credit: Mutty Paws Rescue

65 dogs have been removed from a neglectful home in Hendry County, with rescues from all over Florida picking up the malnourished dogs.

The dogs were found in crates, homemade cages, chained up, with empty food bowls and no drinking water.

Cages where multiple dogs were kept outside at a neglectful Hendry County home. Credit: Mutty Paws Rescue

According to the Clewiston Police Department, 66 dogs on the property needed to be removed. They were seized and transferred to multiple rescues—including Mutty Paws Rescue, Humane Society Naples, Guardians of Florida Animal Rescue and Golden Retriever Rescue of SWFL, among many others—through Clewiston Animal Shelter.

Some of the dogs were in such bad shape they had to be euthanized.

One of the dogs was stuck in a hole so deep that animal control officers had to dig out a stake to help the dog out.

A dog rescued from the neglectful home. Credit: Mutty Paws Rescue

A rescue organization said one senior dog was living in a run-down RV on the property.

It’s a sad situation but now these dogs are on the path to a better life.

One shelter said they take pride in calling themselves, American’s Sweetest Shelter.

But America’s Sweetest Shelter in Clewiston is stuffed, because 65 dogs had to be rescued.

Tito Nieves, at the Clewiston Police Department said, “30 dogs left yesterday and more are being slowly being accommodated to go to other rescues so we’ve been very grateful.”

Now the shelter has more than 40 dogs including some that we’re already here.

But one of the rescues stepping up to help is Mutty Paws in Palm Beach County.

Ashley Miller, from Mutty Paws Rescue said, “There were dogs, some of them that were coming from under the house. It was a nightmare. It was so overwhelming.”

These dogs are on their way to a better life. But Miller said they’ll need some help along the way.

They all need help. And we need more rescues to step up, the shelter, I mean, they do all that they can they need help,” Miller said.

To be a voice for the voiceless.

“People have to if they see something they have to say something that’s really the only way that we’re going to get situations like this to stop,” Miller said.

Only one dog remains, and CPD says it should be removed sometime on Tuesday.

Pictures from a home where 65 dogs were removed from neglectful conditions. Credit: Mutty Paws Rescue

Clewiston Police Chief Thomas Lewis said this is an animal neglect case being worked by the Hendry County Sheriff’s Office.

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