KMEG 14 - News, Weather, Sports for Sioux City and Siouxland | Dogs Rescued From Home Near Kiron, IA

Dogs Rescued From Home Near Kiron, IA

Nearly 90 dogs and puppies were rescued from horrible living conditions in Sac County, and Thursday those dogs were being cared for across Iowa.

Those dogs and puppies were taken from a house near Kiron, Iowa, on Wednesday, January 25th, and 14 of them are looking for a fresh start in Sioux City.

"It's very rewarding; it's like giving them a chance," says Kelly Erie, the Assistant Shelter Manager of the Siouxland Humane Society.

A second chance is just what these animals need.

Thursday 14 dogs were getting cleaned up at the Siouxland Humane Society. They were rescued from nearly unimaginable living conditions in Sac County, Iowa.

"The smell was horrific, the smell of ammonia," says Erie.

Ninety-three dogs, Cocker Spaniels and Japanese Chin, were taken from an unlicensed breeding operation near Kiron, Iowa, believed to be run by Mary Broderson.

Five of the dogs were found dead on the property, the rest are lucky to be alive.

They were found living in four by six foot wire cages, each with up to five animals crammed inside.

"There was so much feces in the kennels that it was sometimes hard for the animals to move around in there," says Erie.

Some of the dogs have severe inner ear infections; most are severely matted and infested with fleas.

"Lets put it this way: it's really unfair for any animal to be kept that way, it's really unfair and it also makes us step back and ask why," says Erie. "Why is this happening, why did this have to happen?"

Now the dogs are just waiting to find a good home.

The 88 dogs that were found alive are being cared for at shelters around the state, like in Des Moines and Carroll.

Right now the dogs aren't available for adoption.

The Humane Society is just holding the dogs while the case is being investigated, officials there hope the dogs will be up for adoption in a few weeks.

If you want to help out right now you can.

Donations are being accepted at the Siouxland Humane Society for the dogs' care.

The Siouxland Humane Society is at 1015 Tri-View Ave., Sioux City, IA. You can reach the Humane Society at: (712) 252 - 2614.