MIDDLEBORO — Seventeen dogs needing medical care will be removed from a home at 53 Precinct St.  in Middleboro that has been condemned as a health and fire hazard, Middleboro Town Manager Jay McGrail and Health Agent Kayla Smith have reported.

The unregistered dogs had no access to food or water and lived in filth, officials reported. 

One dog needing urgent medical attention was immediately removed from the house and is now being cared for by animal control, officials reported.

The Health Department plans to remove the other 16 dogs from the house with the support of additional agencies, including Wareham Animal Control. Two cats, a turtle and a guinea pig found inside the home will also be removed, officials reported.

Representatives from the Middleboro Police, Fire and Animal Control offices were on scene at the home, located in a bucolic setting. Sounds of roosters crowing mixed with the whir of news helicopters overhead. At one point, firefighters with axes approached the home. 

Vehicles from Wareham Animal Control, the Plymouth County Sheriff’s Office 

On Friday, Oct. 18, Middleboro Animal Control responded to the address to execute an administrative warrant as part of an animal welfare investigation. The MSPCA Law Enforcement Department simultaneously executed a criminal warrant regarding horses on the property, according to officials.

 The Middleboro Health Department condemned the house as a health hazard, and the Middleboro Fire Department determined it to be a fire hazard, officials reported.

 The Middleboro Police Department has not filed any criminal charges at this time, but the investigation remains active and ongoing.

Story will be updated as further information is available