60 animals seized in Murray Hill, fosters urgently needed

A massive animal in Murray Hill ends with Animal Care and Protective Services finding about 50 dogs and 10 cats in poor living conditions.

I’m told ACPS first got a tip last week about potential animal neglect or abuse in the home on Ernest Street, but the homeowner didn’t let them in. They obtained a search warrant yesterday and went to inspect the home today, but didn’t realize the scope of what they would be walking in to.

“We did feel it was in the best interest of the animals that we remove them,” says ACPS Division Chief Nikki Harris.

Harris says the animals appear to mostly be in good health, although some appear to need medical attention and have fleas or skin problems. She won’t know more on their exact conditions until after they’re fully assessed, which is an ongoing process. The living conditions were what concerned investigators, with dogs being kept in kennels all day and a poor air quality.

ACPS says some of the animals are the personal pets to the homeowner and others appear to be ones that the homeowner was trying to adopt out but was unsuccessful. Harris says they will assess what they find at the home, the animals’ medical conditions, and feedback from lawyers when deciding whether to move forward with criminal charges.

In the meantime, ACPS is struggling to find somewhere to house these seized animals.

“What we really need are foster homes and adopters,” Harris says.

At the end of the day yesterday, ACPS was already full, so she says they’re trying to double up in some kennels and work on other group living arrangements. They’re working with the Jacksonville Humane Society as well, but that agency is packed as well.

Harris says the City’s next Mega-Adoption event is coming up in about a month, so even if you can’t take a pet on full time she’s asking that you consider fostering one until the event.

More details on when and where to learn more about adopting and fostering animals can be found on the ACPS and JHS websites.