Their thin bodies shake, not because they are cold now but because they are scared. Half of the 42 dogs rescued by the Ontario Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (OSPCA) on Tuesday have found temporary housing at Hillside Kennels just outside of Innerkip. The remainder of the dogs have been distributed to other kennels and veterinary offices around the county.
Some of the dogs are so malnourished every bone in their body can be seen. Others are so scared they have a hard time eating while others eat and drink like they haven't had food or water in days. But almost all are friendly, and the ones who aren't just need a little love and care, said Tracey Gibson, co-owner of Hillside Kennels.
The dogs were seized by the OSPCA because of the disgusting conditions they were forced to live in. For an undetermined amount of time, the dogs were housed inside and outside of a rented barn on Highway 2 near the Oxford County/Brant County boundary. The owners of the rental land allowed the OSPCA onto the property.
An anonymous tip received by the OSPCA led inspectors to think there were only 16 dogs on the premises. But shockingly, 16 dogs alone were found stuffed in pairs into eight compartments of a small trailer.
"The conditions they were living in were just terrible," said Gibson at the kennel early Wednesday afternoon. "Just let the owner put themselves in the bloody box where they can't move. He had two of them crammed into a tiny box for who knows how long."Gibson arrived on scene late afternoon Tuesday to help safely remove the dogs from the hell they were living.
Dogs living outside the barn were tied by short chains to stakes outside small and elevated makeshift doghouses. Many were surrounded by water and left standing in mud and their own feces. None had food or water.
Dogs inside didn't have it much better. Many were chained to the walls on short leads while others were left in barricaded pens forced to make beds out of dried manure. None had food. None had water. The stench of the dog's feces and urine could be smelled outside of the barn.
Since the Sentinel-Review broke the story Tuesday, dozens of calls from people concerned about the dogs' welfare and inquiring about adoption have been received by Hillside Kennels employees.
"We appreciate the calls. Just so they know the dogs are not up for adoption at this time. The investigation is ongoing. If people want to donate food, that would be awesome. We've already had someone bring in dog food," she said.
The future of the 42 dogs seized is still up in the air because the OSPCA investigation is ongoing. Alison Cross, spokesperson for the OSPCA provincial office, said outcomes in situations like this vary depending on the details.
"At this point in time the investigation is ongoing. I can't speak much to it because we don't want to jeopardize it," she said during a phone call. Under the OSPCA Act, those found negligent can be prosecuted under the Criminal Code and provincial legislation. If convicted, the maximum penalties include a lifetime animal ownership ban, two years in jail and a $60,000 fine. Charges are pending at this time.