EASTON, Md. - Easton police say three dogs and a cat were rescued from the 29000 block of Golton Drive in Easton Thursday. According to police, the animals were in their own feces, without food and water, and in a "dire" situation.
Sgt. John Coleman of the Easton Police Department said, "All of the dogs and the cat were in a bad situation. The smell inside the residence was pungent to say the least." Coleman noted that neighbors alerted the department to the neglect.
A neighbor, Lisa Maki, said she watched the owners leave at least a week prior to relentlessly calling police and animal control in Talbot County. Maki said she and her husband have had issues with the dogs in the past, but the neglect was too much to take.
"The one dog would be left out for long periods of times in heat, rain, storms and snow. They wouldn't ever let him in, he had no human interaction. The other dogs were inside and never did we see them let out," Maki said.
Maki said she called the Talbot County Humane Society countless times. Humane Society Executive Director Patty Quimby said her organization could do nothing without authority from police, but when they got in the house they were glad they made it in time.
"Personally we are animal lovers here so anytime we see any sort of cruelty and neglect, it hurts us and that's why we do our jobs here. We have a great band of staff and volunteers," Quimby said.
Coleman said the animals are recovering and doing better. He said the investigation is still pending as to who left the dogs and who will be charged. The person or persons responsible could face jail time and a fine, Coleman said.
