MOOERS FORKS, N.Y. -
Police took 26 dogs from an apparent puppy mill in Mooers, New York. These malnourished, emaciated dogs now have a new home after they were taken from terrible conditions at a hunting lodge. And it's because work of one brave woman.
It all started with one escaped dog. Lucky is his name and he found his way to Marcia Lisitski.
"We didn't think it was going to make it through the night," Lisitski said.
Who brought him to Kaleigh LaBombard, Mooers dog control officer.
"I started to put pictures of lucky on Facebook and people reached out to me and told me where these dogs were. I contacted authorities and they went in with me," LaBombard said.
They came out with twenty six dogs, taken from the clutches of cruelty…
"On a scale of one to nine he was a one which meant near death," LaBombard said.
To the care of Mooers Animal Shelter, which Kaleigh owns. There they are getting the food and sanitary conditions they need to recover.
"Today's goal is to keep up with cleaning, feeding, watering and bathing these dogs," LaBombard said.
It took three full days to get the 26 dogs out of the hunting facility but before they can start giving them up for adoption they have to decide custody.
"There is a possibility that he will get these dogs back depending on what happens in court," LaBombard said.
The Clinton County District Attorney's office says it has multiple tools to transfer custody to Kaleigh. The man who owned the dogs is facing 19 charges of torturing/injuring animals or failure to provide sustenance. Kaleigh has been warned the dog owner will work on his own to get them back.
"It was a dangerous situation to get involved with but that didn't stop me. The dogs don't have a voice the people have a voice for the dogs," LaBombard said.
"Twenty-six dogs is a lot to love. I never know which one to come out to when I'm out here."
Kaleigh will give the dogs up for adoption if she wins custody but until that time there is a lot of supplies and food she needs to take care of the dogs. Go to her Facebook page to find out how you can help her care for the dogs.
