Two dogs, not living under the best of conditions in Lehighton and Lansford, are now at the Carbon County Animal Shelter, its director said Thursday.

Coco, a 3-year-old pit bull, and Boss, a 7-year-old English bulldog, were both brought in within an hour of each other on Friday, and are doing well at the shelter, Tom Connors said.

Coco was emaciated, could barely stand and Lehighton police weren’t sure she’d live after responding to the home, he said.

Her owner, who needed help with mental health issues, told Connors that the young pit wouldn’t eat, he said. She had the dog for about a month, he said.

Coco, however, is eating fine at the shelter, and already gained a couple pounds, Connors said.

“She seems very happy to be here,” he said.

Boss came from a home in Lansford, where four dogs got into a fight over food, Connors said. The owner, who had stuck his hand in the middle in the melee, lost the tip of his finger, he said.

The owner called the county communications center repeatedly and demanded that one of the dogs be removed from the house.

“It was in the best interest of the dog that we removed it,” Connors said. “The dog is as friendly as could be, and it definitely looks like there was some neglect going on. That dog is actually happy to be here, too.

“That dog doesn’t’ show any signs of aggression at all,” he said, saying he isn’t sure that Boss is the dog that bit his owner.

“If you have four dogs eating out of one dish, you’re going to have a problem,” Connors said.

Both dogs were surrendered by their owners, he said.

“These are just some of the calls that we get and we deal with,” Connors said, noting in the last week the shelter responded to two calls where the owner was found deceased after a welfare check.

“It’s always nice working with our local police, and they’re always there with us when we’re dealing with these issues, which makes it safer for us.

“We appreciate their help,” he said.

The shelter, which has 16 kennels, is caring for 17 dogs and continues to get daily calls from people wanting to give up their dogs.

“It’s just a little bit overwhelming at this time,” he said.

“In this case, both dogs needed to get out of the situation they were in,” Connors said. “Even though we are considered full, in cases like this, we do whatever is necessary to remove a dog from a bad situation.”

Connors wishes he had the space and could have convinced the Lansford man to surrender all of this dogs, he said.

“But I don’t have the space,” he said. “So, sometimes, taking one (of the dogs) out of the picture makes it a little better for the other ones that are there and that’s the best that we can hope for now.

“There are a lot of people out there with these dogs that shouldn’t have them and can’t care for them,” Connors said. “It’s falling on everybody’s shoulders to kind of step up and help them out.”

Both dogs will be going to a veterinarian to be checked out next week, he said.

Coco, if cleared, will be available for adoption, while Boss may have someone experienced with bulldogs interested in adopting him, Connors said.

The shelter is located at 63 Broad St. in Nesquehoning and has staff on hand Monday to Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Visitors are asked to call 570-325-4828 first to ensure staff are available.