Nine emaciated dogs seized at Old Appleton property

Nine dogs, including puppies, were seized Friday at an Old Appleton property after Cape Girardeau County sheriff's deputies said the animals suffered severe neglect.

The dogs, mostly pit bull mixes, one chow mix and one purebred boxer, are being treated and evaluated at the Humane Society of Southeast Missouri, said Requi Salter of the Humane Society.

They were found severely emaciated, two of them tested positive for heartworms and all suffered from internal parasites, Salter said.

"They were basically tied to trees and starving to death," Salter said.

A suspect in the animal abuse case has been identified and will face charges, though none were filed as of Friday night, according to the sheriff's department.

Formal charges are pending with the Cape Girardeau County prosecuting Attorney's office.

Six of the dogs were adults, the oldest being about 4 years old, Salter said. The age of all three puppies was estimated at around 6 months, she said.

The puppies seemed to have fared better than the older dogs in terms of the condition in which they were found, Salter said.

The Humane Society will look for foster homes to care for the dogs until they can be made available for adoption, Salter said.

All of the dogs were willing to let a veterinarian at Skyview Animal Clinic, at 883 Kingshighway, evaluate them.

Salter said they all seem to have been previously handled and are social animals.

"They knew we were there to rescue them, and they were ready to go," she said.

An American pit bull terrier rescue group was also contacted about the rescue, according to the sheriff's department.

bdicosmo@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 245

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