A storm did what nobody else could: it opened the door. After a tree crashed into a trailer in Merrillville, Indiana, responders found dogs living inside. What looked like about 20 dogs turned into a rescue of more than 70.
Police are investigating the situation as an alleged animal hoarding case. The dogs are now with Humane Indiana Shelter and Clinic, which had just reopened after losing power for days and evacuating its own animals. Many of the rescued dogs arrived underweight and need medical checks, vaccinations, food, and grooming. They are not cleared for adoption yet while the investigation continues, but the shelter says volunteers flooded in to bathe the dogs and keep them company.
What this means for your dog: hoarding often goes unnoticed until someone reports it, so it helps to know the signs, like many animals living in poor conditions at one address. If you suspect it, call local animal control or the police instead of confronting anyone. And if you’re in the region and thinking about adding a dog to your family, keep an eye on Humane Indiana. Once these dogs are cleared, they’ll need homes. iHeartDogs has the full rescue story.