A dog heard barking in a foreclosed home led Shawano police to a gruesome find Wednesday when they discovered numerous dead and abandoned animals inside.
Authorities required hazardous materials suits and breathing apparatuses to enter and clear out the house at 817 E. Maurer St. The operation involved several state and local agencies and took more than eight hours to accomplish.
Animals found included dogs, rabbits, chinchillas, mice and snakes — including a 15-foot python living in a basement enclosure. Authorities were able to get the python into a heavy-duty garbage can so it could be safely removed.
Many of the animals were found in various stages of decomposition, according to Police Capt. Jeff Heffernon.
There was no exact count of animals available Thursday. Heffernon said there were “tens of animals” in the house.
The Shawano County Humane Society is assisting with the temporary placement of the animals found still alive.
A contractor sent by the bank to change the locks on the house heard a dog barking inside, according to police and Sheriff’s Department reports.
When the contractor entered, he found two dogs housed inside feces-infested cages. He then contacted police, shortly before 9 a.m.
According to authorities, the house was assumed to be abandoned. Grass and weeds surrounding the house were 2 feet high and the power had been disconnected.
Neighbors told police they had not seen the occupant of the home and presumed owner of the animals — a 38-year-old Shawano man — in at least a week.
According to law enforcement reports, the house was cluttered with boxes of food, cleaning supplies, clothes and garbage, much of it crawling with bugs, and there was a strong odor of dead animals, feces and urine.
The Shawano County Health Department has posted the property as being not fit for human habitation.
In addition to police, sheriff’s deputies and the Humane Society, others responding to the situation Wednesday included the city building inspector, the Wisconsin Veterinary Diagnostic Lab — which will be testing the animals for any possible disease — and local veterinarian Bruce Cunliffe from the All About Animals Veterinary Clinic.
Heffernon said it was sometime before 6 p.m. before police were able to clear the scene.
The case is still under investigation. Heffernon said possible violations of state law were being looked into and charges, including possible animal neglect, could be filed.
The Leader’s policy is to not name the suspect until charges have been filed.
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