More than 100 dogs seized in Western Montana over cruelty allegations

CHARLO, Mont. – More than 100 dogs have been seized at a Charlo kennel after prosecutors and the kennel’s owner’s reached an agreement to defer prosecution of felony aggravated animal cruelty charges.

Nadine and Larry Latzke of LDR Kennels were allowed to keep six dogs in their home. The dogs were transferred to Life Savers Animal Rescue of Polson, which will try to find homes for them.

Under the agreement, the dogs inside the home must immediately be spayed or neutered and cannot be bred.

The couple is losing custody of dozens of the other dogs. Authorities say the dogs were found in cages on the property in what they called deplorable conditions.

Life Savers Animal Rescue Vice President Lynette Duford said the organization rounded up horse trailers and crates Friday to get the dogs, the Daily Inter Lake reported.

Duford said the dogs they recovered have a lot of medical issues. They were kept in small cages and do not know how to walk on the ground or socialize with people, she said. Their feet are sore from standing in double- or triple-stacked wire cages, she added. Many of the dogs need medicated baths to help treat skin issues.

A number of dogs are also toothless and need help with their food.

“We have to figure out what each dog needs and put them on a special diet,” Duford said.