Dogs seized from Catawba County home

CATAWBA COUNTY, N.C. -- Animal control officers confiscated 153 dogs from a residential property southeast of Newton Tuesday.

Investigators described the alleged puppy mill as unsanitary because the dogs were living amongst a lot of feces. An anonymous tip on Monday led Catawba County Animal Services to the home, which is located on the 2400 block of Bud Arndt Road.

"There are some concerns in any situation when you have this many animals that you may have some sickness, some illness that can pass from animal to animal," said Jennifer Rice, public information officer with Catawba County Emergency Services.

Property owners Eric Eugene Weaver and Gail Campbell Weaver agreed to sign the dogs over to the county. Rescuers removed eight Great Danes. The rest of the dogs are Rat Terriers.

"The Weaver's have no comment and they don't want no one on the property,” said an unidentified woman who approached NewsChannel 36 cameras outside the property.

Animal control officers took the dogs to the animal shelter in Newton. Tents were set up and veterinarians performed medical evaluations.

"Overall, the body condition scores are fairly good on most of the dogs," said Dr. Gale Ford.  "We are seeing some ticks. Of the animals that I've examined, I'd be hard pressed to say that they hadn’t had enough to eat."

Ford pointed out a dog with possible genetic problems.  It was missing toes.

Dental health was Ford's biggest concern for the dogs.

"Dental health is never a minor issue," said Ford. "They don’t appear to be as nervous as when they got here. While we are doing the exam they are letting us work with them."

The county contacted Rat Terrier and Great Dane rescue groups to help house the dogs. 

Veterinarians are hopeful most of the dogs can be adopted.

So far, the Weaver's don’t face any charges. The investigation continues.