BUFFALO, N.Y. (WKBW) — A woman walking her dog past a house on West Ferry Street heard what she described as a bark of desperation — and that moment led to the rescue of 22 animals from filthy conditions inside.
Edie, who noticed a dog in the window of the home, said the animal's bark was unlike a typical reaction to a passerby.
"In the window, I could see the silhouette of the dog," Edie said. "It wasn't just like a bark like, 'Oh, there's a pedestrian walking with their dog, and I'm sensing that they're walking outside, so I'm barking because of that.' It was more like...maybe a bark for desperation. Like somebody needs to help me."
Edie called 311, where a call taker told her it may take a few days for someone to check out the situation.
"I said, 'Mister, I'm not trying to be rude, but I think if that dog doesn't have food or water it might die,'" Edie said.
Edie then called her friend Jen Butera, the director of the Buffalo City Animal Shelter. A few hours later, an animal control officer and Buffalo Police went to the house. Body camera footage from officers showed filthy conditions inside.
Four dogs and 18 cats were removed from the residence. Police said there was no clean food or drinking water available for the animals "due to the abundance of animal excrement present," and most surfaces, including beds, were covered in feces. There was also no working toilet.
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The animals were taken to the City of Buffalo Animal Shelter for medical evaluations.
52-year-old Paule Montanez was charged with 22 counts of failure to provide proper food and drink to impounded animal.
"They're all doing really well. A couple of the cats do have upper respiratory. We've already adopted out two dogs," Butera said.
The other animals are expected to be up for adoption soon. Butera said her friend did the right thing by making the call.
"So if you have any concerns, it's always better to put in a 311 or, if it's more urgent, to call 911," Butera said.
Edie said she is glad she went back to take a closer look at the house.
"I'm really glad that I went back to the house. I'm really glad that I decided, 'Hey, let me walk by that house and see what's going on with the situation,' Because all animals touch our soul," Edie said.
The City of Buffalo Animal Shelter is located at 380 N. Oak Street, Buffalo, NY 14203. It is open every day except Sunday. Hours are 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday. It's open Wednesday from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. and on Saturday from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
For links to dogs and cats available for adoption at the shelter, go to: https://www.petfinder.com/member/us/ny/buffalo/city-of-buffalo-animal-shelter-ny341/.
Police said it was also determined that a minor had previously stayed in the residence. Child Advocacy Unit detectives immediately began an investigation and Child Protective Services were notified. The investigation is ongoing and further charges may be filed.
