Dozens of dogs seized; puppies found in freezer
MUNCIE, Ind. — While seizing more than 40 bulldogs from an Indiana home Wednesday, authorities made a macabre discovery — of the frozen carcasses of 18 puppies, and six deceased reptiles, in the property owner's freezer.
In all, 46 dogs — most of them American bulldogs, including a basenji and some puppies — and a lizard were being seized from the Muncie property.
Officials called conditions in the house on the property, and in dog cages outside, "horrific."
"Many of the dogs are needing pretty severe medical attention," said Phil Peckinpaugh, director of the Muncie Animal Shelter.
He said one of the canines had part of its face "literally missing."
A utility company worker alerted the shelter of conditions at the scene Tuesday, Peckinpaugh said. Most of the dogs were living in waste-filled cages in back.
The owner, identified on the scene as Jacob Pelfrey, was taken into police custody, despite his requests to remain to help transport the dogs.
Pelfrey, 23, was being held in the Delaware County jail Wednesday night under a $65,000 bond. He is preliminarily charged with multiple counts of cruelty to an animal and neglect of a vertebrate animal.
Despite the condition of the dogs and property, Peckinpaugh said he did not suspect dog-fighting was involved, since he said most fighting dogs were better cared for. He called the owner of the property "a mix between a hoarder and a puppy mill (operator)."
Pelfrey — whose property had been investigated by animal control authorities in the past — refused to allow a voluntary inspection Wednesday, prompting authorities to obtain a search warrant.
Authorities said all indications were that Pelfrey was living in the home with his animals.
"Every square inch of that house is covered in fecal matter or urine," Peckinpaugh said.
A sign in front of the property advertised the sale of exotic pets, but Peckinpaugh said he believed only dogs were being sold there.
The dogs did not appear to be emaciated, but apparently did not have immediate access to food and water, the shelter director said.
Three of the canines were being treated at a local animal hospital.
"One dog was too weak to walk," Peckinpaugh said.
The city/county shelter was working to find where to house the 40 or so dogs, having tweeted as recently as Monday that its facility was full and in desperate need of homes to adopt or foster dogs.