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Community steps in to help 149 dogs taken from Ogden home

Posted at 8:20 PM, Nov 20, 2012
and last updated 2012-11-22 00:22:30-05

UPDATE, Nov. 21: The community has come out to support the number of dogs rescued. 

Some of the dogs have been adopted already. Others will remain in foster care as they still need some medical care.

The community has also donated dog food, money and other supplies to help with the care of the animals.

OGDEN, Utah -- Animal welfare groups in Weber County are asking people to adopt or foster nearly 150 dogs taken from a home here, in what some authorities call one of the biggest hoarding cases they have seen.

The dogs were taken on Monday night when a man called Brenda Gordon's Pack 'N Pounce Animal Rescue, saying he had 60 dogs in his home.

"I said, 'Sixty? You mean 6-0?' and he said, 'yes,'" Gordon told FOX 13 on Tuesday. "I'm like, 'Nobody has 60 dogs."

By the end of the day on Tuesday, that number had skyrocketed to 149.

"He had so much love for these dogs it was heartbreaking," Gordon said. "But he didn't have enough money for their food and stuff, so a lot of them were fed, but underfed. Cared for, but needing more than what he could provide."

Gordon said the situation in the home on the 3100 block of Jefferson Ave. got out of control because the man could not afford to spay and neuter the dogs. All of his money went to buy food for them.

"Most of the dogs were in as good of condition as you see them here," said Gordon. "But there were a few that had ammonia burns from being closer to the floor and there was some with some minor medical issues."

Ogden police told FOX 13 they were not likely to pursue charges against the man because he called them and surrendered the dogs. At his home on Tuesday, the shades were drawn and no one appeared to be inside. Neighbors reported hearing barking, but didn't see many dogs outside.

Animal shelters from as far away as southern Utah came and picked up some of the animals in an effort to adopt them out.

"I just think it's really sad," said Emily Williams, who adopted two dogs on Tuesday. "I don't know how to explain it. It's just really sad that these animals had to live like that. But I'm glad that they're getting the help now."

For information about adopting the dogs, visit Pack 'N Pounce Animal Rescue's website.