Nearly 200 Dogs Rescued from Columbia County Home Now at Shelters

HARRISBURG, Pa., July 20, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- All 187 dogs voluntarily forfeited from a Columbia County home on July 19 have been placed in animal shelters across the state. The dogs, which are mostly Chihuahuas, will eventually be put up for adoption to good homes.

"This is one of the worst cases of animal hoarding we've seen in Pennsylvania, but through the efficient work of dog wardens, state and county animal response teams and local animal shelters, the dogs are one step closer to finding healthy forever homes," said Executive Deputy Secretary Mike Pechart, who oversees dog law enforcement activities at the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture.

Dog wardens, in cooperation with Pennsylvania State Police, executed a search warrant at the home of Albert and Thomas Ambrosia in Benton, Columbia County, after receiving numerous tips. Charges were not immediately filed.

After being removed from the home, the dogs were signed over to local rescue organizations and housed overnight at a temporary emergency shelter at the Pennsylvania Farm Show Complex and Expo Center in Harrisburg.

Medical care was provided by Agriculture Department veterinarians and state, Dauphin County and Perry County animal response teams provided support. The Pennsylvania Department of Corrections supplied towels for bedding.

"The swift action to get the dogs into a safe situation would not have been possible without funds raised from dog license sales, which support the Dog Law Enforcement Office," said Pechart.

State law requires that all dogs three months or older be licensed each year. Dog licenses are available at county treasurer's offices. A list of county treasurers and a downloadable license application is available at www.agriculture.state.pa.us.

To confidentially report unsatisfactory conditions at a home or kennel, or if a kennel is suspected of operating illegally, contact the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture's toll-free tip line at 877-DOG-TIP1.

People wishing to adopt one or more of the dogs rescued from Columbia County should contact a shelter that has taken in dogs. (Shelters are listed below).

Media contact: Nicole L. C. Bucher, 717-787-5085

Editor's Note: The dogs will be available for adoption from the following shelters:

Adams County SPCA
11 Goldenville Road
Gettysburg, PA 17325
Phone: 717-334-8876

Antietam Humane Society
8513 Lyons Road
Waynesboro, PA 17268
Phone: 717-762-9091

Berks Animal Rescue League
58 Kennett Road
Birdsboro, Pa 19508
Phone: 610-373-8830

Berks County Humane Society
1801 N 11th Street
Reading, PA 19604
Phone: 610-921-2348

Bucks County SPCA
1665 Street Road
Lahaska, PA 18931
Phone: 215-794-7425

Dessin Animal Shelter
138 Miller Drive
Honesdale, PA 18431
Phone: 570-253-4037

Humane League of Lancaster
2195 Lincoln Highway East
Lancaster, PA 17602
Phone: 717-393-6551

Humane Society of Harrisburg Area
7790 Grayson Road
Harrisburg, PA 17111
Phone: 717-564-3320

Humane Society of Lebanon County
150 N. Ramona Road
Myerstown, PA 17067
Phone: 717-628-1369

Luzerne County SPCA
524 E. Main St.
Wilkes-Barre, PA 18702
Phone: 570-825-4111

Lycoming SPCA
2805 S. Reach Road
Williamsport, PA 17701
Phone: 570-322-4646

Montgomery County SPCA
19 E. Ridge Pike
Conshohocken, PA 19428
Phone: 610-825-0111

Pike County Humane Society
189 Lee Road
Shohola, PA 18458
Phone: 570-296-7654

York SPCA
3159 Susquehanna Trail North
York, PA 17406
Phone: 717-764-6109

SOURCE Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture