KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The Miami County Sheriff’s Office is investigating an animal cruelty case in the 25900 block of Rockville Road in rural Louisburg, Kansas.
Wednesday, Jan. 24, the sheriff’s office was sent to the property to check on the welfare of canines on the property.
Deputies located 10 deceased Great Danes. 10 other dogs — nine Great Danes and a Shepherd mix — were found “alive and in a condition that required immediate medical attention,” according to a social media post by the sheriff’s office.
The 10 deceased Great Danes were found in a 30x60 outbuilding, eight alive Great Danes were located inside the outbuilding, one alive Great Dane was located inside the garage and the Shepherd mix was found alive inside a residence.
Nobody was at the property while the search warrant was executed.
The canines' cause of death is under investigation. Kansas State University is conducting the necropsies.
As for the 10 rescued dogs, they are under the care of Daisy's Dane Sanctuary.
"They are showing signs of improvement, by eating and gaining weight, but are still very sick and have a long road to recovery ahead of them," per the sheriff's office.
Until the case is completed, the dogs are unavailable to be fostered or adopted.
The sheriff’s office said this property may be part of a larger operation across the state as well as the country.
Miami County is “working with investigators in other jurisdictions and believe at least 100 other canines are in similar condition based on the other jurisdiction investigations.”
On Wednesday, Jan. 31, the sheriff's office said the department has been in contact with police in Topeka and believe an investigation Tuesday in Topeka is related to the Louisburg case.
"We have also been in contact with an agency outside the state of Kansas but have not been able to confirm at this time if there is a connection with our investigation," the sheriff's office posted.
Four persons of interest have been identified.
No charges have been filed as of Jan. 31. However, the sheriff's office believes the county attorney will seek formal misdemeanor and felony animal cruelty charges.
The sheriff's office shared a list of items needed at Daisy's Dane Sanctuary for anyone interested in helping.
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