Dogs taken in Porter County neglect case may be ready for adoption soon
By Amy Lavalley Post-Tribune correspondent October 16, 2012 1:13PM
Updated: November 18, 2012 6:47AM
VALPARAISO — Six of the dogs seized from a Salt Creek Commons home Monday should be ready for adoption in the next few days, and a cat also taken from the home may be ready for adoption after further evaluation by the Porter County Animal Shelter staff.
“They’ve got some parasites and some fleas, but they appear happy and well-fed,” Jon Thomas, director of the shelter, said about the dogs.
The mix includes four pugs, a Chihuahua and a Boston terrier. A pug rescue group already is involved in finding a home for those dogs, Thomas said.
A local veterinarian and animal shelter staff administered basic vaccines to the dogs on site.
Deborah Brewer, 61, relinquished the dogs to the shelter after Porter County Animal Control took them from her home. A seventh dog, a great Dane mix, was deemed too aggressive for adoption.
Brewer relinquished the cat as well, Thomas said, though its health is still being evaluated. Additional cats may be in the home. Brewer has told officials she will turn them over once she catches them.
Brewer’s neighbor in the Union Township subdivision contacted animal control because of the stench emanating from her home. Officials found animal feces on the floor that was inches deep in some places; the home also has no running water.
The case has been forwarded to the Porter County Prosecutor’s Office; Brewer could face charges of animal neglect, a Class A misdemeanor. Adult Protective Services also was called to the scene, at 405 Sturgeon Drive, on Monday.
“We can only intervene when someone can’t direct their care, so we are limited by state statute as to when we can intervene,” said protective services investigator Katherine Schmitt, while she was outside the home Monday.
“We can’t really make a judgment call on her decision-making,” Schmitt added, noting an assessment of Brewer would be confidential.
