MINDEN – Authorities seized more than 50 dogs and puppies from an unheated barn on a Route 5S property Thursday, and state police said they are investigating allegations against a person connected to the animals.
State Police spokesman Mark Cepiel said complaints regarding the animals were filed with the Fort Plain Village Police and the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office.
A search warrant was executed Wednesday night at 7145 Route 5S, and authorities were on the scene Thursday.
“It’s too early to speak on the dogs’ condition,” Cepiel said today.
He said the frigid temperatures played a factor in the decision to take the dogs because the barn’s windows were not intact.
“Weather conditions played a factor, but I don’t know them all yet,” he said this morning.
At 1 p.m. Thursday, dogs could be heard barking in the barn.
As of 9 p.m. Thursday, all of the dogs had been removed from the property and taken to local shelter, Montgomery County Undersheriff Jeffery Smith said this morning.
No criminal charges had been filed as of this morning.
“We are still sorting out who is responsible,” Cepiel said Thursday.
The barn is across the street from a farmhouse. The occupants were unavailable for comment.
