71 Dachshunds Rescued From Massachusetts Home

Photo: MSPCA/Facebook

Most of them underweight, matted and coated in urine and feces, 71 Dachshund mix dogs were surrendered to the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (MSPCA)-Angell Memorial from a Massachusetts home on Tuesday.

The MSPCA, in an announcement, said that the dogs, which were males, females and puppies, were underweight, coated in urine and feces, and matted. The conditions of the home were “extremely dirty.” Some dogs were in outside cages, and were not protected from elements.

According to the MSPCA, 60 of the animals taken from 21 Harrington Road, Westminster, were taken to its adoption centers in Boston and Methuen, and the rest will remain at the Westminster facility. MSPCA is looking for adoptive homes for the puppies and dogs.

An investigation has been opened on the case.

“At this stage we cannot comment on the status of the investigation but, should there be details we can release in the days and weeks ahead, we will do so,” said law enforcement officer Nadya Branca.

The Noble Family Animal Care and Adoption Center at the MSPCA-Nevins Farm in Methuen now has 30 of the dogs, and Director Mike Keiley said, “We’ll do everything we can to make the dogs comfortable, and we expect to carry out health and behavior checks in the days ahead.”

He also stressed that the dogs came from a traumatic environment and need time to heal, and asked that prospective adopters be patient.