75 dogs removed from Adams County home under court order

(Photo: Adams County)

Posted: Dec 17, 2015 / 05:57 PM MST

Updated: Dec 17, 2015 / 10:16 PM MST

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ADAMS COUNTY, Colo. — If your Christmas wish list includes a four-legged friend this year, you may be in luck. Adams County Animal Shelter has 75 new dogs that needs homes after investigators raided the home of an unlicensed breeder Thursday morning.

Finding a home for homeless pets is the biggest challenge for any animal shelter. But, with only a week left to go before Christmas, Adams County has its hands and its kennels full.

Thursday morning the Colorado Department of Agriculture’s Pet Animal Care Facilities Program (PACFA) along with Adams County Animal Control and several other shelters seized 75 dogs from a home in Strasburg. The dogs belonged to Robert Attleson. He used to operate a legitimate rescue for Irish, English and Gordon Setters. In March 2014 the state did not renew his boarding, breeder or rescue licenses because the home did not meet facility standards.

“The house is about 2,500 square feet,” said Adams County Communications Director Jim Siedlecki. “He had about 25 to 30 dogs in one room and he had about 40 dogs in the kitchen. He had 15 dogs in the garage and there were some in the basement as well.”

A judge has served Attleson two cease and desist orders since March 2014. On December 7, 2015, an Adams County judge issued a permanent injunction and restraining order against him. Animal control officers removed the dogs from the property Thursday morning.

“[Attleson] opened his gate. He allowed investigators in and the dogs came out one at a time,” Siedlecki said.

He was allowed to keep 15 of his dogs, which is the maximum number allowed by the state before a boarding license is required.

Attleson is not being charged with animal cruelty. State investigators also tell FOX31 Denver it does not appear he was selling dogs since he lost his license.

“They were incredibly well behaved considering the circumstances,” Siedlecki said. “Of the 75 that were brought in today, most are in very good condition and I would expect most of the dogs to be adoptable within 48 hours.”

The dogs are mostly English, Irish and Gordon setters between one and ten years old. They will all undergo a medical and behavioral evaluation before being put up for adoption.

If you are interested in adopting one of the dogs, they will be available at the following shelters: