An attempt to rescue 20 mistreated dogs from a rural home near here failed Sunday morning.

Pend Oreille County Sheriff’s Deputy Andrew Fritz said he obtained a warrant to seize the dogs, but when he arrived at the home, they had been moved.

Fritz said he has since received information that the dogs are somewhere in Stevens County.

Last week, Robert Eggleston and Kay Frazier were cited for second-degree animal cruelty and released. Authorities found 15 dogs shot in the head, their carcasses placed in a heap outside Eggleston’s home.

The surviving dogs, many of them Siberian Huskies, were underweight and living in filth, Fritz said. About 15 of the dogs were removed, but 20 had to be left behind.

SpokAnimal Care is coordinating adoption of the rescued dogs.