The Athens County Dog Shelter seized 100 dogs from inside a Coolville home on Wednesday, according to a news release from the office of the Athens County Dog Warden.
The dogs will be taken care of and placed in a temporary home pending the resolution of the case, according to a statement from Chief Dog Warden Mary Beth Brown.
"These dogs will receive veterinary care, grooming and have a warm, clean place to live pending review of the case by the Athens Municipal Court," Brown said. "These dogs really tugged at our hearts when we saw the conditions they were living in."
The dogs were discovered after the shelter, along with agencies from surrounding counties, executed a search warrant at 26499 Main St. in Coolville, following a complaint.
Bernice Robertson of Coolville was arraigned Friday in Athens County Municipal Court on a misdemeanor charge of cruelty against a companion animal. Robertson pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Other agencies involved in the rescue operation include the Athens County Commissioners' office, Athens County Job and Family Services, Athens County Sheriff's Office, Licking County Dog Warden, Franklin County Animal Care and Control, Fairfield County Animal Care and Adoption Center and Delaware County Humane Society.
Students and residents in Athens can help the dog shelter out by donating items such as disinfectant (Rescue Brand), floor squeegees, floor scrub brushes, dishwashing liquid soap (Dawn), old newspapers, potty pads and small bites dog food. Funds can be mailed to The Athens County Dog Shelter, P.O. Box 114, Chauncey, Ohio.
