South Carolina Dogs Arrive In Salem After 'Heartbreaking' Rescue

SALEM, MA — Nearly a dozen dogs rescued from "heartbreaking" conditions in South Carolina, where their owner was charged with 21 counts of illegal animal care and treatment, are recovering in Salem this week as they await becoming available for adoption.

MSPCA-Angell and the Northeast Animal Shelter of Salem helped bring nine of the 21 dogs rescued dogs from Horry County, South Carolina to Salem this weekend after the MSPCA-Angell and NEAS Director of Adoption Mike Keiley said they were found living in outdoor pens and tethered to makeshift shelters.

"The situation with these dogs was heartbreaking, so we knew we needed to help," Keiley said.

Horry County Police say all the dogs were removed from the property and that the property owner, Herbert Dozier, was charged with 21 counts of illegal animal care and treatment. Police said they removed an additional 60 dogs from the owners' property last August.

Keiley said the dogs range in age from five months to 10 years old and include Beagle, Hound and Labrador mixes.

"All things considered, the dogs were in pretty good condition," Keiley said. "But they still need the TLC and behavior support they were denied in their previous home."

The dogs arrived in Salem about one week after a similar transport of rescued malnourished and neglected cats from a hoarding situation, which was also in South Carolina.

The dogs will be available for adoption following their state-mandated quarantine and after receiving any medical attention they may need.

Interested adopters may monitor here for updates.

Keiley said the cost of caring for the dogs is expected to top $5,000 and those wishing to donate to help offset these expenses can do so here.

(Scott Souza is a Patch field editor covering Beverly, Danvers, Marblehead, Peabody, Salem and Swampscott. He can be reached at Scott.Souza@Patch.com. Twitter: @Scott_Souza.)