NORTHGLENN, Colo. (KDVR) — More than 70 animals inside one Northglenn home were rescued Thursday in the 1900 block of East 116th Drive near Wyco Park.
Two of the animals, a dog and a cat, were found dead inside. This was a two-day operation where neighbors alerted police about the issues.
FOX31 learned from police that there are actually still animals inside the home that crews say they had trouble catching because they were too skittish. When the investigation wraps up, police believe that the number of animals rescued will grow.
One by one, officers geared up in hazmat suits and masks, and removed dozens and cats and dogs, spending hours in the area.
Police are sharing these images from inside showing what they call “unsanitary and undesirable conditions.”
Due to the sheer number of animals inside, they requested help from neighboring animal welfare agencies and law enforcement.
“I was shocked, I never would have suspected it,” said neighbor Wes Stambaugh.
Many neighbors shared the same sentiment as he.
“When I first learned of it, I was completely, totally shocked. Like three to four years ago, we used to walk our dog when we had one before it passed. We would walk the dogs past there and it was like two or three dogs barking at us. It was a chain-linked fence at the time. It’s the same people living there, though,” said Stambaugh. “When my wife told me the activity over there, I was completely shocked. She thought she heard 14 animals. We didn’t know. We never would have thought there were 14 animals, let alone more than that.”
Cats in crates could be seen on the driveway outside the home this afternoon. Police said criminal charges were issued to the homeowner on Thursday.
“I feel bad for the people because at that point, in my opinion, it’s like an illness,” said Stambaugh. “I mean, they just don’t understand that they’re no longer caring or loving the animals.”
Stambaugh says he didn’t know the people living there, but says they have lived in the home for decades. When the news broke about the severity of this situation, it left him, along with other neighbors, with questions on how the problem got out of hand.
“I think it gets to a point where people don’t understand you’re beyond loving and caring for animals at that point,” he said.
Police say all the living animals are being transported to area shelters for medical evaluations and temporary care. The charges for the homeowner have not been released. Since this is an ongoing investigation, investigators are still evaluating all charges.
FOX31 learned the homeowner was issued a summons and has since been released. FOX31 reached out to the homeowner but has not heard back.
If you have any information, you are asked to give the Northglenn Police Department a call at 303-450-8892
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by PostX News and is published from a syndicated feed.)
