Title: Major Animal Rescue Operation in Bonner County Saves Over 70 Dogs from Hoarding Situation
BONNER COUNTY, Idaho – An intense case of animal hoarding in Bonner County led to a significant rescue operation involving local authorities and an animal rescue organization from Montana.
The situation began when a local teenager was asked to help remove deceased dogs from a home. Upon entering, the teen discovered dozens more dogs in distress and quickly alerted Charla Cimbalik, her coworker and friend.
"I don’t think in all the years Justice helped her she had ever been in that house," said Cimbalik. "Justice said it was the most horrific thing she had ever seen."
With no animal shelter or control in Bonner County, Cimbalik reached out to rescues, particularly for mini heelers, and connected with Heeling Hearts in Laurel, Montana. Kendra Wold, the owner, immediately offered assistance.
Wold said she connected with the woman who desperately needed help with her dogs, even stating that some had died and needed to be removed from the property. "Talking to her on the phone she was very nice but just said that she was overwhelmed to say the least," Wold said, adding that the woman had about 10 dogs to rehome to her rescue.
Upon realizing more resources were needed, Cimbalik contacted Freddie B, the owner of Freddie B’s Furry Friends Rescue. He quickly joined the effort.
"I have a little bit of experience in what we did, but only on a much smaller scale," Freddie B said. "It turned out from what’s supposed to be a courtesy transport to the biggest, the first and biggest rescue operation I’ve ever been involved with."
Freddie B discovered that the situation was much larger than initially thought, with dogs everywhere and some deceased. "We pulled out another 26 dogs. They’re all in good health now, mind you," Cimbalik stated. "She loved these dogs and they were all very healthy."
The group planned another rescue operation for a week later, but upon arrival, they found the homeowner deceased in her vehicle. Despite the tragic discovery, Freddie B, Wold, and their teams were able to rescue all the remaining dogs.
"We just started scooping up puppies and putting them in crates and putting them in our trailer," Wold said.
Freddie B added, "The coroner showed up, gave us the release to get to go in the house, get the rest of the dogs. And we got every single one out, every last one saved."
Ultimately, 10 dogs were found deceased, while around 73 were rescued. Several of these dogs are pregnant and expecting puppies. Heeling Hearts is still fostering some of these mini heelers and working hard to find them forever homes.
