'Found in poop, beat with a shovel': Md. shelter rescues dogs in extreme hoarding case

CLARKSBURG, Md. (ABC7) - Hundreds of German Shepherds were rescued from a hoarder in Georgia, and are now being cared for by a Maryland shelter who specializes in German Shepherd rescues.

The shepherdswere discovered living in deplorable conditions, eating their ownfeces and the remains of other dogs.

Mid-Atlantic German Shepherd Rescue (MAGSR)Board President, Candi Myers, says they are taking in at least 42.

TheAtlanta Humane Society posted a video showing the illegal breeding operation in Georgia. More than 450 dogs were being hoarded by one person.

"This is the worst I've ever seen" said Myers, who has been with MAGSR since 2013.

"Found in poop, eating dead dogs, being beat with a shovel" Myers said. "One of the dogs that we are getting actually has part of their ear hanging and will need to be surgically removed."

MAGSR is working with Bennet Creek Animal Hospital in Clarksburg. "It's a sad situation and a little bit can go along way with these guys" Dr. Jeff Walcoff said. "We will see them for about a week and get them back into better health."

Walcoff is helping to treat most of the shepherds by assisting with surgeries, medicine and recovery.

As of Tuesday, 12 shepherds are under medical care at Bennett Creek Animal Hospital. Myers walked through the hospital and introduced them each individually. "Hi, good boy" said Myers, talking to Ritter. "He should be a very big boy and he is really small right now."

Ritter wagged his tail. However, most of them are skittish and nervous. According to Myers, they haven't had much human contact.

Myers is working on that. She's learning that each of them have their own special needs. "She's marked as a flight risk," Myers said, talking about one dog.

MAGSR is receiving 26 more dogs this weekend from the Georgia case and are asking for help with funding to take care of them. They estimate it will cost about $120,000.

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