Over 100 animals removed from animal welfare facility
COLUMBIA, Md. —
Howard County police said animal control officers removed more than 100 animals from the Animal Welfare Society of Howard County, Friday in Columbia.
According to officials, a concerned citizen contacted animal control Thursday and reported overcrowding, foul odor and a lack of cleanliness at the facility, located in the 8500 block of Davis Road.
Officials said animal control officers moved on the complaint, visited the facility and found the animals in unacceptable conditions. The officers entered the AWS with a search and seizure warrant and found cats, dogs, rabbits, guinea pigs and birds -- many appeared to be in poor health, officials said.
11 News talked to Andrew Sherman, a volunteer with the facility for several years.
"All the living conditions are great, like with any other animal place you've got your messes, but things get cleaned up," Sherman said.
The last time he was inside the building was about three weeks ago. He described what it looked like.
"Clean, clean, dog room clean," Sherman said.
"I felt very sad. People can look from the outside and see what they want to see, but unlike myself and a lot of the other volunteers that come here on a regular basis, until you come and experience and help these animals, it's kind of easy to blame on situations that you don't really know anything about," Sherman said.
The animals were moved to the county’s animal control facility to receive veterinary evaluations and care, officials said.
"We are very low staffed during the day. A higher volume of our volunteers are after the working hours, so yeah, if you were to come in at a specific time, you might see some bathroom, some droppings it's going to happen you have animals," Sherman said.
The total number of animals has not yet been confirmed. Once the animals have been evaluated, animal control will determine which ones are healthy enough to be adopted.
Police have not said whether anyone could face charges, related to the incident.
Donations are being accepted to assist with the care of the animals, including monetary contributions, food and bedding, officials said. They can be dropped off at the county’s Animal Control facility at 8576 Davis Road.
This report will be updated.