Buxton police removed 18 dogs from a man’s house on Chicopee Road after receiving complaints about the dogs’ living conditions.

The department’s animal control officer initially went to the house Wednesday after receiving a complaint. The following day, police officers and the town’s health officer responded because of what the release described as “inhumane” conditions, according to a department news release.

The conditions were the result of too many dogs living there and their continued breeding because they had not been spayed or neutered, the release said.

The owner surrendered to police 10 adult dogs and eight puppies, which were then released to the Animal Refuge League of Greater Portland, the release said.

Four puppies and two 3-year-old dogs will be available for adoption starting at 11 a.m. Tuesday, said the shelter’s executive director, Patsy Murphy. Murphy described them as medium-size, “all-American shelter mixes.”

The remaining 12 dogs need more socialization and have been placed in foster homes, she said.

“They’re fearful. They’re shy,” Murphy said. “Our goal for all of these dogs is to be adopted with a family that already has a dog. We know they do better when they are with companion dogs.” A companion dog can help model proper dog behavior, she said.

Taking 18 dogs at once was about 50 percent more dogs than the shelter has at any one time and puts a strain on its supplies, she said. People who want to help, but aren’t interested in adopting, could contribute dog food, she said.

Buxton has had several high-profile animal welfare cases in recent years.


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