Hinckley animal hoarders believed they were rescuing pets

MEDINA, Ohio - Two dogs had to be put down after 85 animals were removed from a Hinckley property on Tuesday.

The Medina County SPCA checked on the house on Monday, following an anonymous tip about animal hoarding. Some of the animals were very sick and needed medical treatment.

Medina officials said the animals’ owners believed they were rescuing in the pets.

“You walk a very fine line between being a rescue person that really truly helps the animals to being someone that thinks they're helping the animals, and bringing them into their home. But are not physically or financially able to provide them the level of care that they need,” executive director of the Medina SPCA Stephanie Moore said.

The 85 pets included 60 dogs, five cats, two horses and two potbelly pigs. Moore said most of the dogs are purebreds, like shih tzu, Yorkshire terriers and Brussels Griffons, which is unusual in a rescue case. There were even 14 French bulldogs.

Some of the dogs had to be taken to another area shelter, while other animals were taken to a farm.

Charges against the owners have not been filed.

Some of the animals will be put up for adoption during the first week of June. For more information, call the Medina County SPCA at 330-723-7722 or go to their website at http://www.medinacountyspca.com/