More than 50 dogs rescued in Bollinger County

GIPSY, Mo. -- A Humane Society of Missouri team rescued more than 50 dogs believed to be endangered from a 33-acre property near Gipsy early Monday morning and Monday afternoon.

The Bollinger County Sheriff's Department issued a warrant allowing for removal of the animals from the breeding facility. Three deputies accompanied the humane society on the raid.

A humane society official said the owner confirmed the facility is unlicensed.

The breeds included Pomeranians, French bulldogs, Maltese, Dachshunds, Chihuahuas, a Yorkie Maltese mix and a Scottish terrier. They included a litter of 6-week-old Chihuahuas.

Blindness, dental problems, overgrown toenails and severe matting were some of the conditions rescuers found in the dogs, according to the humane society. The dogs were living in elevated pens with wire bottoms that forced the animals to balance on thin wire to stand up, the organization said.

The dogs were taken to the humane society headquarters on Macklind Avenue in St. Louis. They will remain in the organization's custody pending a disposition hearing.

No charges have been filed against the occupants of the buildings, said Leo McElrath, chief deputy for the Bollinger County Sheriff's Department. He said the department is investigating the operation and waiting to receive more information about what the humane society found.