BROOKSVILLE, Fla., Nov. 20 (UPI) -- A Florida animal shelter is caring for and cleaning up 62 Shih Tzu dogs found abandoned and in poor shape.
Hernando County Animal Services officers found the dogs in Brooksville Wednesday, Hernando Today reported. They had numerous types of skin lesions and matted fur and were covered with fleas, urine and feces, according to a sheriff's report.
Although they first thought the dogs were Lhasa Apsos, animal control officers realized they were Shih Tzus once they had been cleaned.
Robert Stone, supervisor of animal control enforcement, said other dogs were seen running off into the woods.
Volunteer veterinarians and groomers are helping with the dogs, but it will be some time before they are cleared for adoption, he said.
"What's most important right now is to find out who's responsible for abandoning these dogs," Stone said. "We need for somebody out there to tell us where these dogs might be from."
Sgt. Donna Black of the sheriff's office said the dogs may have come from a puppy mill or backyard breeder.
