A group responsible for protecting animals and removing them from unhealthy surroundings was facing allegations of animal neglect on Tuesday.
An empty lot in rural Pike County served as the Humane Society's animal shelter, 10TV's Glenn McEntyre reported.
Small, chain-link pens, with a piece of plywood across the top, housed many of the animals, and neighbors said they have been concerned about the conditions for months.
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"Even with the cover they had over it, it just didn't look like it'd be appropriate to keep them sheltered right," said neighbor Cindy Wright.
The Pike County Sheriff's Office took photos of empty food containers and soiled water dishes.
Neighbors said they rarely saw anyone caring for the dogs that were kept at the shelter, McEntyre reported.
"I haven't seen a whole lot of activity over there," Wright said. "A little bit. I know a few times they went down to a neighbor's house and they would get water down there, but that's about all I saw."
The sheriff's office said it found proof of animal neglect, and seized eight dogs.
Investigators said that when the dogs were removed on Friday, that they had gone a week without fresh food or water.
"If they're rescuing them from unfit surroundings, they're not putting them in any better, that's for sure," Wright said.
Pat Porter lives near the shelter, and said neighbors had taken it upon themselves to give the dogs fresh water.
"They're supposed to stand to be humane to animals, and that was not humane," Porter said.
The dogs were being kept at the Pike County Animal Shelter. Two of the dogs were suffering from dehydration and one from an infection, McEntyre reported.
The sheriff said the investigation will be forwarded to the Pike County Prosecutor to determine what charges will be filed.
Linda Gilliam, the chief humane agent for the Humane Society, declined an interview request.
Gilliam denied any wrongdoing, and said in a statement, "This trumped-up set-up that they've
done on us is politically-backed. They're idiots".
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