by Bea Peterson
On Wednesday, April 8, the Mohawk & Hudson River Humane Society removed 55 dogs, 16 of them nursing puppies, and 14 cats from a single-wide mobile home on Spicer Rd. in Hoosick. According to shelter Executive Director Brad Shear there were no records of immunization or licenses for any of the animals. All of the cats were suffering from respiratory infections and other health problems. Many of the dogs had overgrown nails and grooming issues. Some were ill. The story of the rescued animals appeared on area television stations and in daily newspapers. By Tuesday 22 of the dogs had been adopted. The remaining dogs and cats will be available for adoption over the next two months as their health issues are cleared up. The puppies are too young yet to be weaned.
Shear said three of the dogs were spayed or neutered and returned to their owner, Grace Arrison, who said she was unaware she had to be licensed to breed and sell dogs. She has not been charged. Shear said the cats and dogs, Pomeranians, dachshunds and chihuahuas, not all purebred, were loose in the crowded house. The animals had access to a large yard though not all of them were housebroken. The Society will be monitoring the owner, and they have up to two years to press charges if she should again choose to raise and sell dogs.
The NYS Police were alerted to the situation by someone who had purchased a puppy from the home.
For further information on these or other animals at the Mohawk Hudson River Humane Society call 434-
8128 or visit www.mohawkhumane.org. The shelter is located at 3 Oakland Ave., Menands and is open Monday through Friday from 10 am to 6 pm and Saturday from 10 am to 5 pm. It is also the acting Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals for Rensselaer County.