Madison Shelter Rescued Nearly 200 Neglected Dogs

MADISON, NJ - An ongoing animal cruelty investigation in Kingwood Township has led to the rescue of nearly 200 dogs by Madison's St. Hubert’s Animal Welfare Center, according to authorities.

St. Hubert's staff said that all the dogs will be in need of vaccination, deworming and spay/neuter. Some of the animals were pregnant, have masses and growths and are suffering from infections. This unexpected influx of animals needing treatment has strained the budget.

According to a report by News4, 20 dogs found on site were dead. The report also said the home was owned by a prominent breeder, whose dogs have won Best in Breed awards from the Westminster Kennel Club.

Detectives responded to a residence in Kingwood Township where a search of the home and other buildings located on the property uncovered over 170 dogs believed to be neglected.

"In addition, another 30 dogs were previously surrendered by the homeowners," Acting Hunterdon County Prosecutor Michael J. Williams said. "That the rescue operation took place early morning Tuesday and continued throughout the day. The animal cruelty investigation is ongoing and charges are still pending, he said.

St. Hubert's staff said they assisted in the removal of a large number of small dogs from the property following the service of a warrant by a Humane Law Enforcement Officer. St. Hubert’s was asked to provide its expertise in both the removal and the triage and staff and volunteers spent the last 72 hours working nonstop to prepare for their arrival, staff said.

“What we need most right now is the support of our community, which where we separate paperwork on this is an unexpected unbudgeted for large number of dogs,” St. Hubert’s Nora Parker told News12. “It’s going to be several hundred dollars minimum to get each one vaccinated and spayed/neutered, and then we expect that will find some additional medical needs for a lot of these animals.”

Those wishing to help defray the cost of care can donate here.

The dogs will eventually need forever homes, and they will be featured on the adoption website when they are available.

“I would like to thank St. Hubert’s Animal Welfare Center and Monmouth County SPCA for their hard work and assistance in this matter," Williams said. "I would also like to thank the members of the New Jersey State Police, Kingwood Township Rescue Squad, Hunterdon County OEM, Hunterdon County Health Department, and Adult Protective Services for their assistance in the animal rescue.”

Thanks for reading! Learn more about posting announcements or events to your local Patch site here. Have a news tip you'd like to share? Or maybe you have a press release you would like to submit or a correction you'd like to request? Send an email to russ.crespolini@patch.com

Subscribe to your local Patch newsletter by clicking here. You can also have them delivered to your phone screen by downloading our Apple iOS app here, or by visiting the Google Play store for the Android app here.