Story Created:
Nov 19, 2009 at 5:52 PM CDT
Story Updated:
Nov 19, 2009 at 7:13 PM CDT
MAYFIELD, KY- Dirty, malnourished, and scared- just hours after 55 dogs were brought to The Mayfield-Graves Animal Shelter it was obvious to volunteer Amy Hughes, "They lived in cages and had babies."
Last night they again spent the night in a cage. But Hughes says it was much different, "They had full bellies last night, clean paper, and a clean place to sleep."
On Wednesday afternoon the dogs were taken by Graves County Sheriff's Deputies from a Hickory, Kentucky home.
On Thursday morning, staff and volunteers got to work grooming, bathing, and showering the dogs with attention.
While most have a long list of problems ranging from hair loss to flea infestation, Shelter Board President Doug Carneal says he is optimistic.
"I don't see any reason right now why we would have to put them down."
Carneal says the focus in the coming days is making sure that doesn't happen. His voice choked with emotion he added, "We've got hidden emotions so we want to take care of them."
But that costs money and the shelter is already 70-thousand dollars in the red. Now more than ever they are having to rely on donations. On Thursday Terry Wells drove one hundred miles to make a donation.
"I don't know it just got to me last night," he said of the Local Six report he had seen.
The shelter is grateful for the donations and even happier to have the dogs in a safe, warm environment.
"They're doing okay, they really are," Hughes said, as two dogs licked her hands.
Denise Hunter, Michael Hunter, and Wade Peterson will be in court December 16th. Sheriff's Deputies say the three have agreed to sign the dogs over to the shelter. The dogs should be available for adoption in the next few days.
If you would like to help you can do send a monetary donation to the Shelter at: 500 North 12 Street, Mayfield, Ky. 42066.
The Graves County Sheriff's Department cited Denise Hunter, Michael Hunter, and Wade Peterson for misdemeanor cruelty to animals.
