Heartfelt appreciation goes out to animal rescuers who saw horrific conditions in Topeka

Last week more than 50 people from seven different animal welfare organizations across the U.S. assisted with a Topeka rescue operation.

The Topeka Capital-Journal reports, in a case of apparent severe animal neglect, 18 animals were found dead at a house in the 1400 block of S.W. Fillmore, where Topeka police said they teamed up with animal welfare groups to rescue 73 more.

Dozens of cats and large dogs, including many Great Dane-type dogs, were found "living in filthy, hazardous conditions throughout the debris-filled residence, with no apparent access to clean water," the Humane Society of the United States said in a news release.

This is an utterly heartbreaking story.

Additionally, in a related case, The Capital-Journal’s Tim Hrenchir reports Miami County deputies were dispatched in January to check on the welfare of "multiple canines" on property near Louisburg, 84 miles southeast of Topeka.

No people were home, but deputies found 10 dead Great Danes in a 30-foot by 60-foot outbuilding, eight Great Danes alive inside the outbuilding, one Great Dane alive in a garage and one shepherd mix alive inside the residence.

Shawnee County District Attorney Mike Kagay has charged Charles Cornelius Solomon, 28, with 26 counts of animal cruelty.

Some of those involved in the rescue operation described the scene as difficult and hard to stomach.

"It's something you don't really get out of your mind," rescue participant Christina "Chrissy" Scott told The Capital-Journal.

We’d like to recognize those agencies and organizations participating in the rescue. Thank you for stepping up and intervening.

We know this was difficult to see. For us, it was difficult for us to report. We’re certain it was difficult for readers to learn. No one, be they animal or human, deserves to be treated like this.

It begs the question, how does someone keep more than 90 dogs and cats in their home without someone else knowing?

It begs the biblical question, “Am I my brother’s keeper?”

The answer of course is, yes, we are each other’s keeper. We as a community need to be looking out for the safety of everyone, including our furry friends. They, like children, can’t advocate for themselves.

How many neighbors, postal workers and passersby saw something and said nothing? Or how many spoke up and were ignored?

We may never know, but we hope justice is served and these animals find healing and loving homes.

This article originally appeared on Topeka Capital-Journal: Animal rescuers saw horrific conditions in Topeka. We appreciate them