Animal Rescue League removes more than 20 animals from home in Harwich

HARWICH — More than 20 animals were removed Thursday from a Harwich home by the Animal Rescue League of Boston Law Enforcement Department .

Officials from the Animal Rescue League of Boston were on site Thursday at 908 Queen Anne Road.

“The action in Harwich was part of an ongoing investigation with the Animal Rescue League of Boston Law Enforcement Department and Harwich Police Department , however, we cannot share any further details at this time,” according to a statement provided Thursday by Michael DeFina, the league's media relations manager.

More than 20 animals including domesticated animals, livestock and birds were brought to different Animal Rescue League locations, DeFina confirmed on Friday.

"The animals are in the process of receiving veterinarian exams," he said. "We'll determine what they need and give them what they need to be healthy and be well."

Harwich Police Chief Kevin Considine, who was at the Harwich home Thursday, said the department's animal control and officers were on hand to assist the rescue league. He deferred all calls to the league Law Enforcement Department.

Dennis Animal Control also assisted.

When asked, a woman who was in the driveway said "nothing" was going on at the house.

The league investigates hundreds of complaints annually, according to DeFina. Most of them are small scale complaints. The incident in Harwich is considered large scale because of the number of animals. The league investigates just a few large scale incidents a year, he added.

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This article originally appeared on Cape Cod Times: Animal Rescue League removes more than 20 animals from home in Harwich