Animal abuse investigation: 28 dogs rescued from unlicensed breeder in Malcolm

LINCOLN, Neb. (KOLN) - A Malcolm woman is facing charges after investigators with the Lancaster County Sheriff’s Office say she was running an unlicensed dog breeding operation.

According to LSO, on Sept. 13 deputies were sent to a home on West Mill Road, north of Malcolm, after a delivery driver was bitten by a dog.

Deputies said the owner, identified as 70-year-old Julia Hudson, could not provide updated rabies vaccination for the Belgian malinois.

While there, deputies said they discovered Hudson was running an unlicensed breeding operation for the last several months and had more than 20 dogs at her home living in unsanitary conditions including no food or water visible, as well as dogs covered in feces.

LSO said Hudson had at one point been a licensed breeder and her license had expired.

Captain Tommy Trotter explained that since September, deputies have been working with Hudson to make sure the dogs were getting vaccinated, healthy, in good living conditions and that she was in compliance with the Department of Agriculture.

Tuesday around 10:50 a.m., Captain Trotter said that deputies were following up with Hudson and checking on the animals when they discovered that the dogs were still in bad living conditions.

Deputies said there were a total of 28 dogs at Hudson’s home, several living outside in the cold and snow, covered in feces, with a lack of food and water visible.

According to Captain Trotter, Hudson ordered the deputies to leave her home, at one point pushing a deputy, as well as getting her Belgian malinois and threatening to hurt the deputies if they didn’t leave.

Hudson was arrested and is facing terroristic threats charges, as well as obstructing government operations charges.

Captain Trotter said more charges could come as they continue their animal abuse investigation.

LSO seized all the dogs and they’re now receiving care from the Capital Humane Society.

“The dogs were living in unsanitary conditions. Many were covered in feces and urine with matted fur. Most of the dogs were confined to crates & cages too small and in some cases there were multiple dogs in each crate. The dogs are primarily Miniature and Standard Poodles but there are several other breeds of dogs too. At this time they are resting comfortably in our care and have been examined by our veterinary team. We are working on lining up grooming for all of the dogs too.”

HOW TO HELP

The dogs are not available for adoption at this time as they are being held during the judicial process.

If you would like to help, you can donate supplies such as dog food, treats, hard plastic or rubber toys, towels and bedding. You can also make a monetary donation. The Capital Humane Society said the daily cost to care for the dogs which includes grooming, food and veterinary care is over $500 a day.

Link to Amazon Wishlist: https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/3MECIMUISMYQ8

Link to make online donation: https://www.capitalhumanesociety.org/ways-to-give/

Copyright 2022 KOLN. All rights reserved.