STAFF REPORTS

DENVER – Lincoln County Animal Services has spent yesterday moving more than 150 dogs, cats, horses, a llama and other animals from a home to a rescue shelter for treatment.

Animal Services and Lincoln County Sheriff’s deputies served a search warrant to remove the animals from the home of Vicki Rauch at 3454 Petite Lane around nine o’clock on Tuesday.

The animals were moved to a central location where they will be examined and placed in proper care.

Lincoln County Animal Services Director Jack Kerley said, “the condition of the animals are in various stages. Some look malnourished, some look sick, some have skin problems possibly from parasites. The majority of the kennels had no cover, the ground was muddy and the water bowls were green with algae.”

Photo: Animal Services Director Jack Kerley speaks to members of the media on Tuesday. Photo by Ron McCann.

A mobile animal vet hospital will travel to the scene to check on the animal’s conditions.

The animals were transferred throughout the day and into the evening.

The animals are being housed in an 80,000 square foot building and will be taken to the vet to determine their health status this week. Kerley said the investigation into the incident is continuing.

Kerley said, “The American Humane Association has brought in volunteers from all over the country and they are a big help and doing the majority of animal handling”.

Other help came from Lincoln County Emergency Management, Lincoln County Fire Marshal’s Office, East Lincoln and Denver Fire Departments, Lincoln County EMS, East Lincoln and Lincoln Rescue and Charlotte Mecklenburg Animal Control.