Seven dogs were rescued from a property in Washington Township, Schuylkill County, with conditions so disturbing they left a humane police officer speechless.

Ryan Schaeffer, a humane officer with the Ruth Steinert Memorial SPCA, Pine Grove, and member of the board of directors, responded along with state police at Schuylkill Haven Tuesday on a cruelty/neglect call on Dad Burnhams Road.

“My first impression was how and why,” Shaeffer said after looking at the cages filled with dog feces.

Schaeffer said he was “silent” until he could mentally process what he was seeing. He saw a Saint Bernard, four basset hounds, a golden retriever, and a goldendoodle in cages. He estimated their ages between 2 and 5 years old.

He said the metal cages, which had concrete floors, had not been cleaned in months, some of which had mold. None of the dogs had food. Some had water.

State police had knocked on the door of the owners, a man and woman whom Schaeffer declined to name, and told the woman who was home at the time. A man identifying himself as a canine law enforcement officer had visited the property with his Realtor previously because it was posted for sale, Schaeffer said. The man went there and then called the shelter.

Schaeffer said the owners had been previously “investigated for illegal dog breeding” by a state dog warden for Schuylkill County. He did not recall the name of the warden nor did he know the outcome.

The woman was given the option of surrendering the dogs or police would obtain a search warrant. She agreed to surrender the dogs, but not without wanting to keep the golden retriever and the goldendoodle because she could sell them, Schaeffer said.

Employees of the shelter later arrived Tuesday to transport the dogs to the shelter where they are now. The dogs were enticed with treats and then leashed.

They were “nervous and scared,” he said, adding they didn’t like walking on grass.

Two other dogs on the property near the house were in good condition, but the woman was given two weeks to make veterinary appointments.

Conditions of the dogs

He described the dogs, a male and six females, as breeding dogs that smelled of “urine and feces,” had matted hair and toenails so long they caused holes in the paws of the dogs. They were not neutered or spayed, but did not appear underweight. He does not know if they were vaccinated.

Photos on the shelter’s Facebook page show conditions. One has hair in the teeth and gums of a dog.

“They may have been eating hair for nourishment or grooming themselves,” Schaeffer said.

Each of the dogs has had an initial evaluation by a veterinarian. A complete examination will occur shortly.

Schaeffer said “he is absolutely considering charges” after the exams. He did not have a cost to date for the care of the dogs.

“A case this size can cost the shelter $4,000 plus,” he said.

To date, more than $3,000 has been raised for the dogs, according to the shelter’s Facebook page. The public can donate by clicking on the link to the post with pictures or sending a donation to the shelter at 18 Wertz Drive, Pine Grove 17963.

“We appreciate every dollar that is donated toward every animal,” Schaeffer said.

Updates on the dogs, which are not available for adoption now, is posted on the shelter’s Facebook page.

The public is encouraged to contact the shelter for animal concerns.

“All reports are anonymous. We as humane officers can’t find all neglect that is out there, so we look to the public to speak up,” Schaeffer said.