Nearly 250 dogs found living in cages, owners charged weeks later

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WAVE/Gray News) - Weeks after nearly 250 neglected dogs were rescued from a wooded 5-acre property, charges were filed against the owners.

Kentucky State Police charged Michael and Natasha York with second-degree animal cruelty and failing to vaccinate the animals.

The investigation began after the nonprofit Guardians of Rescue tipped off troopers, who found dogs ranging from chihuahuas to rottweilers living in cages and among trash.

KSP said many of the rescued dogs hadn’t received their rabies vaccinations, and many were suffering from dehydration, internal parasites and malnutrition. One dog had a broken leg.

The Yorks claimed the animals were left by a deceased relative who was a breeder, and the rescued dogs have now been distributed to shelters across four states to recover.