ELIZABETHTOWN, Pa. (WHTM) -
Broken bones, rotting teeth, and fleas; more than a dozen dogs are being nursed back to health after they were rescued from a western Pennsylvania breeder.
"If you can envision a shed with no heat, no AC, no water, no electric, in the forest, no exercise for them; that's where the dogs lived," said Cindy Myers, owner of A Tail to Tell Rescue, the organization that rescued the dogs after a request from the breeder.
"It breaks your heart. When I take new volunteers with me, they cry," said Myers. "I'm beyond that now, I rarely cry anymore. I usually cry after we have them safe."
"They wanna get the dogs off their property because, to keep a dog that no longer produces babies or produces babies that are defective, that costs them money," said Myers.
The 14 dogs were taken to a Lancaster County facility, Playful Pups Retreat, where they were examined by a veterinarian.
"Some have luxating patella's, they have eye problems, they have ear problems, every one of them except the babies have severe dental disease and is going to lose multiple teeth," said Laurie Yost, owner of Playful Pups Retreat.
Yost said the dogs also have socialization issues.
"But that changes. Dogs are very forgiving and they will definitely overcome it," Yost said, "especially if they get into loving hands where people are caring for them and taking their time and being patient. That's what these dogs need."
If you would like to foster or adopt a dog, visit www.atailtotell.com.
