Conway takes nine dogs in rescue

CONWAY — Nine of the Great Dane dogs rescued Friday from alleged squalid conditions at a commercial breeding operation in Wolfeboro and Bartlett over the weekend are now recuperating at Conway Area Humane Society.

The nine dogs taken to Conway Area Humane Society came from the same Wolfeboro location but they were taken in by authorities prior to Friday.

"I'm a combat veteran," said Wolfeboro Police Chief Dean Rondeau in a conference call Saturday, describing what he saw at the Wolfeboro kennel. "I'm not ashamed to tell you that I was upset. I was absolutely sickened by what I saw ... I can't describe it adequately, other than to use the words 'abhorrent' and 'appalling' ... I have never seen anything like this in my career in law enforcement or in my career in the military."

The nine dogs taken to Conway Area Humane Society are receiving medical attention before being adopted, according to Operations Manager Deb Cameron.

"Some of them have cherry eye, and that requires corrective surgery," sad Cameron. "Some of them have had ear infections, other eye infections, skin infections — some of them are getting over a viral disease that's contagious to other dogs."

Cherry eye is a disorder of the nictitating membrane. Cameron said cherry eye surgery can vary with the severity of the individual care and cost between $250 and $1,000.

All 84 dogs seized June 16 initially went to an undisclosed shelter set up and run by the Humane Society of the United States, which is covering the costs associated with caring for the other dogs for the duration of the case, said Cameron and Lindsay Hamrick of the HSUS. The location was undisclosed because the dogs are evidence in the case against Fay.

Hamrick said the animals have a number of health conditions. "It's going to be a long and expensive road ahead for these guys, but we are committed to making it happen," said Hamrick.

Cameron said it's hard to say how long it will take to get the nine dogs in Conway to an adoptable condition because each dog has its own issues. She said her organization could use some food donations.

"They eat a tremendous amount of food," said Cameron, noting that grain-free foods are best because they are good for dogs with skin issues.

"Any toys that can sustain a Great Dane's level of strength are appreciated, as well as money donations to help us pay for the medications that they are on and for the specialist visits for their eye issues and dermatology visits for their skin issues."

The dogs' names are Della, Bam Bam, Ellie, Uggie, Deliliah, Bruno, Mufasa, Caesar and Cubby. The biggest is about 146 pounds.

She said there was "an incredible rancid smell" coming off the dogs when rescuers arrived. She said the animals were kept in an environment full of feces and urine. She also said they had issues with their feet.

Rondeau said Fay's bail conditions prohibit her from receiving, owning, possessing, housing or in any way being responsible for an animal until her case is adjudicated. He said more charges are likely.

Neighbors previously made complaints about barking dogs. Fay told town officials she had 15 dogs that she kept as pets. But when people who had been inside the home began bringing their concerns to agencies such as the Pope Memorial SPCA in Concord, Rondeau said it became clear more was going on than someone with just a few more pets than usual.

"This case is not just about a few dogs being neglected," said Rondeau. "It's about reckless conduct, abhorrent behavior toward animals over profit, and a scofflaw attitude about business practices, rules and regulations which are important to the town and the state of New Hampshire."

Asked why police didn't move sooner, Rondeau said that it took time to secure warrants and to figure out the logistics of moving so many sick and contagious dogs. Rondeau said he's grateful to all the agencies that helped.

They included the town's fire and public works departments, CAHS, HSUS, Pope Memorial SPCA, Carroll County Sheriff Department, Bartlett and Barnstead police, State Police and Stewart's Ambulance. About 80 people participated in the rescue.

Rescuers were on scene in Wolfeboro on Friday from about 8:25 a.m. to midnight, though planning the raid began at 6:45 a.m.

The Humane Society had brought two semi-trailers to transport all of the animals, but only the juveniles were small enough to fit in the trailers' crates. The fully grown animals were removed using horse trailers. One of those trailers was provided by For Your Paws Only owners Kathy and Brian Ahearn of North Conway.

Cameron said the dogs are "timid" but seem to be enjoying their new environment with clean beds to sleep on and good food and water. She said Great Danes are usually "gentle, sweet dogs."

"We will just have to take slow," she said.

Donations can be made to CAHS by mail, online or phone. Visit www.conwayshelter.org and go to "Donate"; mail a contribution to CAHS, P.O. Box 260, Conway, NH 03018; or call (603) 447-5605.

The Humane Society of the United States would also appreciate donations. Visit humanesociety.org/about/departments/animal-rescue-team/animal_rescue_team.html

Adam Drapcho of The Laconia Daily Sun contributed to this report.