A total of 35 dogs were found ill and covered in feces and dirt in a home in north suburban Glencoe Thursday.
Officials with the Glencoe Department of Public Safety found the dogs in a home in the 800 block of Greenwood Avenue after completing a well-being check for the person who lives in the house.
Witnesses say authorities in hazmat suits entered the home and spent hours rescuing the dogs.
Of the more than 30 dogs rescued, five had to be euthanized due to severe illness, according to officials at the Glencoe Animal Hospital, where the dogs were taken. The rest, however, are expected to recover from the neglect and illness after treatment.
"These dogs are covered in stool, their fur is matted, there are sores on their skin from that .... They're not very well socialized, they're scared. This has been pretty bad," Dr. Sara Grogman, of Glencoe Animal Hospital, said.
Grogman said many of them also had infections on their ears and tails.
As part of their treatment, most dogs were shaved to get rid of the matted fur and to give them a fresh start. By Monday, the animal hospital staff hopes most of the dogs will be able to be screened and put up for adoption.
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The non-profit Tails of Hope animal rescue plans to take in the dogs and help them find new homes. The organization created a GoFundMe page to help pay for the dogs' treatment. As of Saturday afternoon, they had raised more than $11,000.
Authorities have not identified the owner of the home, and charges have not been filed. The case remains under investigation.
