Thirteen dogs were killed Saturday evening in a fire in Hampshire, according to Hampshire Fire Protection District Chief Bill Robinson.
The fire broke out around 7 p.m. in a small out building at 44W975 Berner Road, Robinson said. Ten puppies and three adult dogs were burned to death, he said, noting that the dogs did not die from smoke inhalation.
The out building was a total loss, Robinson said. He estimated the building damage to be around $10,000 but was not sure how much the dogs, all Australian shepherds, were worth to the owner, who is a breeder who goes by Allen's Aussies.
"It is with a very heavy heart that I regret having to tell you all about the tragic event that occurred at Allen's Aussies," the breeder wrote Saturday on Facebook. "All puppies and mothers were lost in a tragic fire tonight. I will be reaching out individually to the people who have appointments set up. I am so sorry to have to inform you all of this. We are simply heart broken at this time."
Firefighters from Hampshire, Pingree Grove, Burlington, Huntley, Genoa, Kingston, Rutland and Dundee battled the fire, which was out in about 10 minutes, Robinson said. Firefighters were on the scene for about two hours.
The fire’s cause is still under investigation.
