Dogs rescued from Tahuya home after owner dies

Nine St. Bernard-mix dogs found with their owner, who had been dead in his home for almost two weeks, have been rescued by the Humane Society of Mason County and Humane Society for Tacoma & Pierce County.

All of the dogs are receiving care at area shelters.

HSMC Executive Director Katherine Johnson told the Herald her group worked with local emergency responders to get the dogs, who are between 5-10 years old, safely out of the home.

"Our team worked diligently on the ground, providing all necessary on-the-scene care and support for law enforcement and emergency responders involved in the rescue operation," Johnson said in an email.

An HSMC volunteer is a neighbor of the deceased owner and told the Mason County Sheriff's Office the organization would help transport the dogs. Johnson said deputies don't always contact the Humane Society in these types of situations.

"Because the Sheriff's Office has not directly made all deputies aware of our presence, not all deputies know that they can call us," Johnson said, so it was lucky the volunteer lived nearby.

Sheriff's deputies, the Tacoma Humane Society and a Pierce County animal control supervisor all worked together in the rescue, Johnson said.

HSMC brought an animal control van with heated kennels and contacted other shelters for help.

Johnson said the Tacoma Humane Society quickly responded and brought some of the dogs to their shelter and other dogs went to local shelters, including Pasado's Safe Haven, just outside of Seattle.

HSMC doesn't have a physical shelter and relies on other animal welfare groups and volunteers to foster animals.

Johnson said the organization is "actively working" on building a shelter on land it has purchased.

"In January of 2015, the Humane Society of Mason County purchased 5 acres of property with plans to eventually build office space and an animal shelter. The property is between Belfair and Allyn, on North Mason School Road behind the High School and practice field," according to the HSMC website.

The permitting process and possible effects of the Belfair Bypass have caused delays, the website says, and the shelter is currently being designed.

"Despite not currently having a physical shelter, the Humane Society of Mason County is actively working towards building one on partially developed land. This step is essential to enhance our self-sufficiency and reduce reliance on neighboring county shelters in emergency situations. Our goal is to bridge the gap faced by emergency responders when pets are left without a plan, providing a dependable resource for our community," Johnson said.

So far this year, MCHS has completed over 530 adoptions and has 105 animals in foster care, Johnson said.