HANNIBAL, MO. -- Ten dogs were rescued from a Hannibal home earlier this week.
Animal Control Officers with the Hannibal Police Department found the dogs in the 2000 block of Hope Monday afternoon.
The owner, 56-year-old Rose White, has been charged with 10 counts of animal neglect, 10 counts of no city dog license and one count of excessive number or limitation of animals.
KHQA's Rajah Maples spoke with Captain Jim Hark Thursdasy afternoon about what happened and visited the Northeast Missouri Humane Society to find out how the dogs are doing now.
These dogs, which all seem to be a poodle mix, were found neglected and in need of medical treatment. Workers at the Northeast Missouri Humane Society spent the afternoon removing filth and mats from the dogs' coats. None of the animals' health problems appear to be life-threatening. But Captain Hark says they were found with no food or water.
Hark said, "Regardless if the temperatures are high or low, an animal has to have water, and based on that and looking at the condition of the animals, it was decided to go ahead and seize the animals."
Hark says residents are only able to have five dogs within the city limits. Owners also are required to have a city dog license for their animals.
Hark said, "The reason we have this license situation is to ensure all animals are vaccinated. In order to get your license, your animal has to be vaccinated. That's just a health issue."
White faces a fine of $100 to $500 and up to six months in jail on each animal neglect charge; a fine of up to $75 on each charge of No Dog License and a fine up to $150 on the charge of limitation of animals.
A judge will decide whether the owner will get any of the animals back or whether they'll be put up for adoption.///
While I was at the humane society in Hannibal, I asked the shelter administrator about the organization's pet population.
Kurt Groenda {gro EN duh} told me the number of animals has *doubled* since July due to the economy.
Not only are owners surrendering their pets, but less people are coming in to adopt the animals.
If you're interested in learning more about adopting a pet from the Northeast Missouri Humane Society, cal (573) 221-9222 or e-mail the organization at pets@nemohs.com .
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