MIDDLEBORO – In mid-October, animal control officers started shuffling dogs from a home in Middleboro. Neighbors began calling about possible animal cruelty after discovering thin horses on the property, while also hearing barking and clawing coming from the house. Homeowner Kimberly Savino faced numerous animal cruelty charges in court Thursday.
“In the basement they discovered 19 animals, 17 dogs and two cats, all in crates. All covered in urine and feces. The animals had no food and no water,” said Plymouth County Assistant District Attorney Nicole Piacentini. “It seemed like the horses were munching on the shelter because they had no food or water in the stables. When neighbors came over to feed the horses, the horses would rip the hay out of their hands because they were so hungry.”
Homeowner previously accused of animal cruelty
Investigators say the 27 animals rescued from deplorable conditions belong to Savino, adding that she was previously charged with animal cruelty in Michigan in 2014.
“At that time, she was convicted, placed on probation for five years and ordered to pay a $40,000 fine,” Piacentini said in court.
CBS Boston
When officers visited the Middleboro home, they entered the basement and discovered additional animals in the home, some lying on newspapers covered in dirt. They also found six plastic crates containing rotting dogs.
“Further down in the basement was a freezer where officers found about 15 to 20 more deceased dogs,” Piacentini said.
The animals have now been removed and Savino faces numerous animal cruelty charges. Savino and her lawyer are asking neighbors to allow the legal process to proceed.
“This is America and even though things can look very judgmental, I think people need to keep an open mind and wait. Things are not always what they seem to be,” Savino said outside the courtroom.
Animals cared for in shelter
Staff at the Middleboro Animal Shelter are working to recover some of the animals and prepare them for adoption.
MSPCA
“The animals are doing a lot better. They’re finally becoming less nervous and they’re cuddly animals. They’re so nice,” said Kayla Smith, the health officer for Middleboro. “We just built a whole outdoor playground, so we let them run around.”
With the influx of animals, the shelter is in need of donations, including wet or dry dog food and dog beds.
“We have had over 100 calls about people asking for these animals, so when we have a list we will share it,” Smith said.
