Dogs seek new homes

Douglas County Animal Services is looking for homes for several dogs that were surrendered by a property owner near Topaz Lake.

Supervisor Janet Duzan said the shelter was contacted in early February to make a welfare check by a neighbor who was concerned about the number of dogs.

"We counted 10 adults and 10-12 pups of various ages," Duzan said.

She said the owner was cited for having too many animals, but has been cooperative in releasing the shepherd-mix dogs to the shelter.

She said the dogs were healthy and well-fed, and she set up a plan for the owner to bring the dogs.

"A couple weeks into the process, one of the neighbor's dogs went on to the property and was killed by the remaining dogs," Duzan said.

Since then, she said, the property owner has continued to surrender the excess dogs.

He is down to two dogs, a female he had spayed and a male, Duzan said.

"We've placed four, so far," she said. "Not all of them are officially up for adoption yet."

Duzan said a local volunteer who worked with the Gabbs dogs has been working with Douglas animals. More than 150 dogs were rescued outside a ranch in Gabbs, Nev., more than a year ago, and are in the process of being socialized and adopted.

"We have two more ready to go and will not place any of them until and unless they are ready," she said. "They have shown zero dog aggression or fear-biting. They're much better than I expected them to be."

She said once the dogs are removed from the pack environment, "they're back to being regular pets."