The Animal Foundation gives updates on animals confiscated from hoarding situation
LAS VEGAS (KLAS) – The staff at The Animal Foundation provided an update on the condition of dozens of animals rescued from a hoarding situation last week.
Dogs, guinea pigs, and rabbits were all recovering when 8 News Now spoke with the shelter’s chief executive officer about their care.
“It’s tragic,” Lieutenant Thomas Healing of Boulder City Police said. “Any case of animal abuse is terrible.”
Lt. Healing spoke with 8 News Now earlier this week about the shocking discovery of 51 guinea pigs and rabbits, 45 dogs, and several tortoises in both Boulder City and Las Vegas.
21 of the animals were dead and police said the rest were living in filth.
“It is so hard,” Animal Foundation CEO Hilarie Grey said. “And heartbreaking to see animals coming in in that condition.”
Police arrested Carolyn Luke, 72; and Timothy Miller, 79, each face 11 counts of animal abuse involving deceased guinea pigs, according to documents the 8 News Now Investigators obtained.
Grey said now that the majority of the confiscated animals are in The Animal Foundation’s care, their focus is on helping them recover.
“We know that our job is to get them healthy, keep them safe,” Grey said. “A lot of the dogs that came in were very matted.”
Veterinarians, groomers, and other shelter staff have all been working hard to help the animals start a new life.
“When they get adopted later on, hopefully, these will too,” Grey said. “That is really where the magic happens.”
She told 8 News Now this is one of the many reasons the city shelter is ready to jump into action for any animal in need.
“We never know when it’s going to happen,” she concluded.
Grey told 8 News Now the animals confiscated are on hold for at least 10 days as the investigation continues.