Dozens of dogs undergoing medical evaluations after Union County house fire

INDIAN TRAIL, N.C. — A homeowner surrendered 28 dogs to the Union County animal shelter after a fire killed 20 dogs last week in Indian Trail. Investigators originally thought 15 dogs had died in the fire.

When Channel 9 arrived at the home on Secrest Short Cut Road last week, many of the dogs on the property appeared frightened as they walked through the charred remains of the home. Deputies tried comforting the dogs before putting them in crates to go to the county shelter.

The owners of the home were backyard breeders who had dozens of dogs living on the property. The couple’s daughter kept 10 to 15 of the dogs, while the rest were taken to the shelter.

The dogs are undergoing medical evaluations and getting spayed and neutered before they can be adopted or rescued.

Firefighters closed the investigation into the fire. They were unable to determine the cause because there was so much damage, but suspect it started in the bedroom and there was no foul play.

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