It started out as a rescue organization for homeless Chow Chow dogs.

But on Tuesday afternoon, animal officials were trying to save the dogs from their rescuer, who police said had hoarded 92 dogs inside her East Lampeter Township home.

Two of the dogs, police said, were already dead when they arrived.

Officials said the home at 87 Linda Ave., located off Old Philadelphia Pike near Greenfield Road, belongs to 41-year-old Terri Palmer-Roby, who was operating the "Pendragwn Chow Chow Rescue."

Chow Chows are not little dogs.

According to the American Kennel Club, Chow Chows are medium-sized and muscular, and were used for hunting and guarding in ancient China. They have a distinctive lion-like fur coat.

Around 3:30 p.m. Tuesday, township police, along with memebers of the state Bureau of Dog Law Enforcement and the Humane League of Lancaster County, said they went into the home, acting on information that there was "an extreme number of dogs being held in the residence." 

     VIDEO: Dogs seized from home

"Conditions at the home had deteriorated into a classic hoarding situation, resulting in unsanitary and unhealthy living conditions for both the dogs and the people,"  Megan Gallagher-Clark, the Humane League's vice president of development, said this morning.

The woman operating the rescue, Palmer-Roby, voluntarily signed over the dogs to the Humane League, officials said. At press time,  no charges had been filed against her.

Today, Gallagher-Clark said the local organization is working busily to get the dogs cared for, evaluated and placed.

"We need help," she said. "Berks County (Humane League) took five last night and Bucks County called this morning. We're really hoping for donations and help from other shelters so they can get the help they need."

The dogs, she explained, were probably placed with a rescue to begin with "because they may have had trouble being placed in a traditional shelter."

Although "many are friendly," Gallagher-Clark said the dogs are in different levels of health conditions, some being emaciated.

"There are no winners in these kind of situations," Gallagher-Clark said. "It's usually people with great hearts, good-hearted people who see a need," but then get in situations over their heads.

"We are hopeful that the majority of the dogs will be able to either be adopted or transferred to other animal shelters," added Kerry Flanagan, vice president of operations.

Staff members and volunteers worked until midnight to get the dogs comfortable and fed, Gallagher-Clark said, and to obtain veterinary care for those with health problems.

Information about the dogs and their adoption status will be posted on the league's website, www.humaneleague.com .  Donations to care for the Chow Chows and other animals at the Humane League can be made online or by contacting the shelter at (717) 393-6551.

The Humane League is at 2195 Lincoln Highway East.

State Dog Wardens Travis Hess and Kristen Reed are handling the investigation with assistance by Humane League Officer John Matrisciano.

They could not be reached for comment.


Staff writer Janet Kelley can be reached at jkelley@LNPnews.com or 481-6026.