WESTFIELD – An apparent illegal kennel has been disrupted after two puppies were discovered that apparently fell from a second-floor porch.
Police responded to an anonymous phone call Tuesday evening from a person who said that there were multiple litters of puppies that had been left alone in the second-floor apartment on Church Street.
Officer Michael Csekovsky was the first officer to respond and found two very young puppies outside but got no response at the door of the apartment.
At his request, an emergency dispatcher contacted the property owner who said that court proceedings are underway to evict the tenant who had told hm that the puppies would be removed from the apartment.
The landlord said that he could not meet the officer at the house and, in order to determine if any animals were at further risk inside, firefighters were asked to gain entry to the apartment.
Once firefighters opened the door for police, no resident was found inside but a menagerie of animals was discovered so the city’s animal control officer, Kerri Francis, was asked to also respond.
Officer Richard Mazza reports that in addition to the two puppies outside, there was an older litter of pit bull mix puppies, as well as a nursing pit bull bitch, apparently the mother of the two days-old puppies and perhaps also the mother of the older litter which was estimated to be several weeks old.
In addition to the dogs, several other animals were discovered including both adult and baby rabbits, birds, a cat and a ferret.
Mazza reports that although a relative of the resident was contacted, the resident herself could not be found and he was told that her phone was not working.
Francis reports that she removed the eight older pit bull mix puppies, as well as the mother dog and her two days-old pups. In addition, Francis removed four baby rabbits and a adult male rabbit.
Left in cages in the apartment were an additional rabbit, the cat, ferret and two birds.
The seized animals were transported to the municipal animal shelter for care. Captain Michael McCabe reported Friday that the resident was able to resolve the issues surrounding the mother dog and two youngest puppies and they were returned to her but the other animals continue to be held at the shelter pending resolution of the remaining issues she faces.
