AHS is caring for 35 dogs and 29 cats from a rural property in Beltrami County following an investigation into the neglect and mistreatment of more than 250 animals
On Friday, December 6, Animal Humane Society's Humane Investigations team assisted the Beltrami County Sheriff’s Office in what it anticipated would be the rescue of more than 250 neglected animals from a rural property near Hines, MN.
During a previous visit to the property, hundreds of cats were found living in cramped, filthy cages, with only sporadic access to food and clean water. Emaciated dogs roamed the property, many with physical injuries from fights over feces as their only sources of food.
But when AHS and law enforcement arrived with a warrant to seize these animals, we were only able to locate 29 cats and 35 dogs — leaving more than 170 animals unaccounted for. When they were last seen, those animals showed signs of the same medical conditions as the 64 animals that are now in our care.
For the last several weeks AHS staff worked tirelessly to prepare for the case, anticipating the arrival of as many as 300 animals, which would have nearly doubled our animal population in just one day. We adjusted our regular intake to make space for these animals and still had to build temporary housing, borrow crates and kennels from other rescues, and stockpile additional food, medicine, and litter.
Beltrami County deputies are actively investigating what may have happened to those missing animals. Numerous animal bones and bone fragments found in an ash pile next to an outdoor wood furnace on the property are being examined as evidence in the case. Both former caretakers were arrested at the time of the seizure and criminal charges are expected in the case.
Right now, our team is focused on providing urgent care to the 64 animals we were able to recover. These dogs and cats are in dire condition — battling eye infections, respiratory diseases, parasites, injuries, extreme malnourishment, and likely many more issues we will only discover as we continue to treat them. It may take several weeks of medical care and rehabilitation before many of them are healthy enough for adoption.
We are committed to giving these animals the second chances they deserve. These dogs and cats survived neglect no living creature should ever have to face — and with support from our animal-loving community, we can save them from more needless suffering.
Make a donation to support their ongoing care
Your support is critical as we continue to respond to this case and house and treat these vulnerable animals. And right now, your gift will be doubled thanks to a generous match from Bill Nesheim.
Will you make a gift today to ensure your love goes twice as far to provide hope and healing?
For any questions about the owner of the property or the investigation itself, please contact the Beltrami County Sheriff’s Office.
About AHS humane agents
AHS humane agents partner with local agencies and community members in all 87 counties to investigate reports of animal abuse and neglect and provide non-judgmental aid and support whenever possible.
AHS is the only animal welfare organization in the Minnesota with the capacity and expertise to assist agencies with humane investigations of this size and scope from beginning to end. Learn more about the Humane Investigations team.