Dozens of dogs seized; puppies' remains found in freezer

MUNCIE — While seizing more than 40 pit bulls from a Delaware County home early Wednesday evening, authorities made a macabre discovery — of the frozen carcasses of 18 puppies, and six deceased reptiles, in the property owner's freezer.

In all, 44 dogs — most of them American pit bulls, including some puppies — and a lizard were being seized from the property in the 3900 block of North Nebo Road.

Officials called conditions in the house on the property, and in dog cages outside, "horrific."

"Many of the dogs are needing pretty severe medical attention," Muncie Animal Shelter Director Phil Peckinpaugh said.

He said one of the canines had part of its face "literally missing."

A utility company worker alerted the shelter of conditions at the scene on Tuesday, according to Peckinpaugh. Most of the dogs were living in waste-filled cages in back.

The owner, identified on the scene as Jacob Pelfrey, was taken into police custody, despite his requests to remain to help transport the dogs.

Despite the condition of the dogs and property, Peckinpaugh said he did not suspect dog-fighting was involved, since he declared most fighting dogs were better cared for. He called the owner of the property "a mix between a hoarder and a puppy mill (operator)."

A sign in front of the property advertising the sale of exotic pets, but Peckinpaugh said he believed only dogs were being sold there.

The dogs did not appear to be emaciated, but apparently did not have immediate access to food and water, according to the shelter director.

The city/county shelter was working to find where to house the 40 or so dogs, having tweeted as recently as Monday that its facility on Gharkey was full and in desperate need of homes to adopt or foster dogs. Emergency scanner traffic later in the evening Monday indicated the city was contacting local dog kennels about whether they could take in any of the seized dogs.