20 huskies removed from Haliburton-area property: OPP

**NOTE: The original headline incorrectly stated dogs were seized by the OSPCA. They were, in fact, retrieved by SHARP.

An animal rescue group says it has relocated 20 husky dogs from a property near Haliburton.

Bancroft OPP say around 7:30 a.m. on Saturday morning, officers responded to a trespassing complaint at a property on Dyno Road in the Municipality of Highlands East, about midway between Bancroft and Haliburton.

Officers at the property noticed “multiple” dogs appeared to be in “poor condition” and requiring assistance.

They discovered 20 huskies that were tied up to their doghouses.

Police say the owner was receiving help from the Siberian Husky Assist and Rescue Program (SHARP), a non-profit group based out of Peterborough which aims to find homes for Siberian Huskies.

An officer also contacted the OSPCA to assist in the investigation.

SHARP board member Sally Kirkby says their organization retrieved the dogs and are dealing with the care and rehoming of the canines – not the OSPCA.

No charges have been laid as the investigation continues.

In a statement on its Facebook page, SHARP stated the dogs had not been abandoned and that the organization had been working to find the dogs new homes.

“All dogs did actually have doghouses which were not visible due to the snow,” the post reads. “Others were in pens with houses. The dogs had not been abandoned…The dogs are now all under SHARP’s care and are all doing well and getting vet inspections. With authorities being involved, nothing else can be released at this time.”

Anyone with information about the case is asked to call OSPCA at 1-888-668-7722 ext. 327, or email cruelty@ospca.on.ca, or the Bancroft OPP at 1-888-310-1122, report it to the OPP online or through Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS) or online.

Bancroft OPP note Haliburton Highlands OPP had attended the property on Friday to serve a court process to an individual for an unrelated matter.