Husky News

…is caring for 24 neglected dogs that were rescued from a property near the Rapid City Airport on Nov. 21.

The dogs are Alaskan malamutes, and were found to be very thin, some to the point of emaciation. Also found at 23354 Lonetree Road were 11 canine carcasses and dog fetuses.

The Humane Society was asked to take custody of the dogs after the Pennington County Sheriff Department arrested the dogs’ owner, Chad Cooper, on an unrelated charge.

Sheriff’s Office Sgt. Greg Foster said a complaint led deputies to Cooper’s home on Nov. 21, but he wasn’t around. Foster said the dogs were spotted then and when deputies returned the next day and found Cooper, they arrested him on a charge of simple assault/domestic abuse. He was also cited for felony aggravated assault after he drove his vehicle toward two deputies, who were not injured.

The Humane Society was then called and the dogs were removed. A dog, horse, donkey and some sheep were also found and homes are being sought for them.

Cooper, 35, has been charged with 24 counts of inhumane treatment of an animal in addition to the two other charges.

Humane Society Director of Operations Suz Phillips said Cooper was raising the dogs to sell under the business name Elias Kennel AKC Malamutes. She said a Web site that advertised the canines offered for sale for up to $5,000.
“It was a puppy mill,” Phillips said.
The Humane Society cannot adopt the dogs until they are healthy and after checking with authorities to ensure they won’t be needed for evidence. Legally, the dogs still belong to Cooper and it would take a court ruling to give them to the Humane Society.
“We’re taking names,” said Humane Society Executive Director Phil Olson.
“Our first goal is to get the dogs eating regularly and gaining some weight,” Olson said. “They arrived at the shelter very hungry, and ate heartily. We’re in the process of evaluating each dog’s physical condition to determine if any of the dogs will need veterinary care.
“One of our challenges will be to help the dogs to learn how to interact with people. We believe their human contact has been very limited.”
Because malamutes are a giant breed, the Humane Society has devoted almost half the shelter to house the dogs. Other dogs are sharing kennels to make room for the malamutes.
Phillips said only one of the dogs is in danger of dying. The slender malamute is weak and had difficulty moving on Friday when Phillips allowed a reporter into the shelter to view the canines. By Monday, Olson said he was confident it would survive.
It’s unknown at this time how long the malamutes will remain in Humane Society custody. Donations to help defray the cost of their care are greatly appreciated.
The Pennington County Sheriff Department is taking the lead on the investigation of animal neglect cruelty and neglect.