LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) — The Kentucky State Police filed animal cruelty charges against a Kentucky man and woman weeks after nearly 250 dogs were rescued from their property.
KSP said Wednesday Michael York, 34, and Natasha York, 34, were charged with second-degree cruelty to animals and failing to have the dogs vaccinated against rabies.
Volunteers found the 224 dogs ranging from Chihuahuas to Rottweilers, some just weeks old and others senior dogs — packed in cages, hiding under cars and living among trash on the Yorks' roughly five-acre wooded property along the Adair and Metcalfe county line.
Kelly Basham, director of operations for the animal rescue nonprofit Guardians of Rescue, said she received a tip about the home and contacted state police. She gave the homeowners a choice: surrender the dogs or wait for a warrant.
At the time, Natasha York explained the animals were left behind after her mother — a breeder — died a few months ago.
KSP said many of the rescued dogs had not received their rabies vaccinations and many were suffering from dehydration, internal parasites and malnutrition. One dog even had a broken leg.
The dogs were spread across rescue groups in at least four states, including Kentucky, Tennessee, Ohio and Pennsylvania. The Arrow Fund brought six of the dogs to Louisville to recover.
"My primary concern throughout this investigation was the welfare of these animals. They depend on people to provide them with proper care, and when that responsibility is neglected, they have no way to speak for themselves," said KSP trooper Trent Tooley, who conducted the investigation. "Seeing the conditions some of these dogs were living in was difficult, but I’m proud we were able to take action and begin getting these animals the help they needed."
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