18 Dogs Rescued in Pelham Animal Cruelty Case

PELHAM, NH — Eighteen dogs living in a filthy, confined conditions at a Pelham residence were rescued Tuesday in what authorities described as a shocking animal cruelty case. Police identified the owner as Kevin Rocheville and said multiple animal cruelty charges are pending.

Authorities raided his Jonathan Road Tuesday after a two-week investigation named "Operation Paws," police said.

"Immediately as they made entry into the house they smelled a very strong odor of ammonia and urine," Pelham police Lt. Anne Perriello said in a statement. "As they searched the home they located dog feces on top of a DVD player located on the floor of the living room."

Ten dogs and eight puppies were seized, authorities said. Several dogs were underweight and one had severely overgrown nails. A pit bull was found locked in a bathroom; the dog scratched a hole in the bathroom door trying to get out after being confined "an extended period of time," Perriello said.

On the second floor of the residence, a dog and eight puppies were found in living with feces and urine everywhere, police said.

Five dogs were found in the basement.

"The floor of the basement garage was covered with urine puddles," Perriello said.

Another "aggressive" pit bull was found locked in an outdoor cage.

All 18 dogs found Tuesday were seized and transported to the Rockingham Emergency Veterinary Hospital in Windham for treatment.

Authorities said there are at least 15 pit bulls under Rocheville's care were unaccounted for, authorities said.

Anyone with information on this case is asked to contact Pelham animal control Officer Allison Caprigno at 603-635-2411 or acaprigno@pelhampolice.com.