WICOMICO COUNTY, Md. - As over 300 dogs recover after being rescued from a puppy mill in Wicomico County, the donations have started pouring in to help the animals in any way possible.
WBOC got a look at a few more of the rescued dogs on Tuesday morning. Cameras were allowed to film two of the puppies inside the kennel at the Wicomico County Humane Society. Wicomico County State's Attorney, Matt Maciarello, said the puppies are evidence in a criminal investigation so the exposure of the evidence to the public has to be limited.
310 dogs were rescued from a property in Eden last Wednesday. The Wicomico County Sheriff's Office said it took 14 hours to remove all of the animals. Officials with Wicomico County Animal Control said the dogs were living in "unsatisfactory condition," which is clear from the condition of the dogs that have been shown to the public.
For many animal lovers on Delmarva, like Nancy Knack of Ocean City, the news of the rescue, coupled with the images of the dogs, was tough news to take in.
"We broke down and were crying and our hearts broke. We said we're going to the store now and we're getting the supplies. And we headed out the door immediately," Knack told WBOC on Tuesday.
Knack wasn't alone in dropping off supplies for the dogs. Throughout the day Tuesday, a steady stream of people came through the doors on the Humane Society with their arms full of dog food, cleaning supplies, and puppy pads.
Since the dogs were rescued, the number of dogs has actually increased. The State's Attorney said some of the dogs were pregnant at the time of their rescue and have since given birth. With the Wicomico County Humane Society bursting at the seams, 36 of the dogs are being cared for in Worcester County and another 26 in Somerset County. The images of these dogs has really tugged on the heartstrings of people on Delmarva.
"I just knew that everybody was going to donate and there's going to be so much more," said Patricia Hardy of West Ocean City. "The whole world is going to volunteer to help."
Officials at the Humane Society said the greatly appreciate the donations they have already received but will continue to need more as they care for these animals. You can visit here for a full list of what the Wicomico County Humane Society needs and where you can drop off those donations.
