The Glencoe Public Safety Department initiated a Haz Mat Box Alarm on Friday (5/15/15) after officials discovered a house with 39 dogs that were covered in feces.

Excerpts from the ChicagoTribune.com:

Nearly 40 dogs covered in feces and matted fur, five of whom were later euthanized, were discovered at a Glencoe home this week and were being treated Saturday at two north suburban animal hospitals.  [Firefighters] wearing hazmat suits removed as many as 39 dogs from a home in the 800 block of Greenwood Avenue. One neighbor said the crews at the house worked nine hours Thursday and four hours Friday.

Neighbors said a woman who appeared to be in her 60s lived in the house for many years. Dogs could be heard barking, but it did not appear to be more than a couple of dogs.

Public records show a woman who recently sold the house is 65 years old and has not been charged with any crimes in connection with the incident. A tree to the side of the house had fallen on the home. … the house [was bought] months ago and the owner was still living there.

… the dogs, ranging in age from 2 to 5 years old, were so covered in feces that their eyes and ears did not become visible until they were cleaned and shaved. … the dogs looked as if they had been fed, but many had infections that led to the loss of their ear tips and tails.

The dogs were scared and clearly not used to being handled by people, she said. They were so matted with hair and feces that most moved as if they had never walked on a floor, she said. Five dogs had to be euthanized because they were too sick or very aggressive.

Most of the dogs were sedated before cleaning, which took about two hours per animal. On Saturday morning, three staff members were working to clean one dog, shaving fur and trimming overgrown, curved nails. One of the dogs, already clean, cowered in a corner of his crate. “The smell of one dog was horrendous.”

Kelly Moyer, founder of Tails of Hope, said she expects to receive more dogs … after they are cleaned and vaccinated. Her staff plans to work with the dogs, place them in foster homes and adopt them out.

Tags: Glencoe Fire Department, Glencoe Public Safety Department, haz mat response to rescue dogs from house in Glencoe, hoarder house has 39 dogs, Tails of Hope