A 64-year-old dog breeder has been arrested and charged with 34 counts of animal cruelty in Putnam County, New York, after authorities found a large number of dogs in his care, News 12 reported. The man, identified as Kevin Burgesson, is now facing the charges as the rescued animals are nursed back to health.
According to officials, a majority of the dogs showed signs of neglect, including skin infections. One official noted that while authorities have made arrests involving hundreds of cats in the past, it was unusual to see this number of dogs in a single case, underscoring the scale of what was uncovered.
The dogs are primarily labradors, though there are also several French bulldogs among them. They have been placed in the care of the New Chance Animal Rescue, which is now working to rehabilitate the animals after their time in the breeder's hands.
Sophia Silverman-Shanahan of the New Chance Animal Rescue said the dogs are recovering, with some bouncing back more quickly than others. Two of the senior dogs are still under veterinary care, requiring more time and attention before they are ready to move on.
The rescue says the dogs will eventually be put up for adoption once they have recovered. In the meantime, the organization is appealing for help with fostering some of the animals, and staff noted that despite what the dogs have endured, their tails never seem to stop wagging.
Burgesson is due in court later this month to face the animal cruelty charges. News 12 said it called a number listed for him online, but the call went to voicemail, and he has not publicly responded to the allegations against him.