02 February, 2016
Nearly 700 animals in North Carolina are safe after being rescued from a shelter.
The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) saved dogs, cats, horses and pigs from awful living conditions.
The ASPCA spokesperson says the animals were dirty, sick, thirsty and hungry.
The shelter was supposed to help and care for the animals. But many of the animals were sick and neglected.
The state and local sheriff's office investigated the shelter after people complained. They said the animals they adopted were sick and not cared for.
The ASPCA says it the largest rescue in the history of the organization.
Police arrested the owners of the shelter on charges of animal cruelty.
The ASPCA is taking care of the animals in a large warehouse. Ten animal doctors are helping.
The animals are part of a crime investigation, so they will be held as evidence until North Carolina decides what to do with them.
I'm Dan Friedell.
Dan Friedell adapted this story for Learning English based on information from Reuters and the Washington Post. Kathleen Struck was the editor.
What do you think should happen to the animals? We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments Section or on testbig.com.
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Words in This Story
awful – adj. extremely bad or unpleasant
thirsty – adj. needing water
cruelty – n. actions that cause suffering
neglect – v. to fail to take care of or to give attention to (someone or something)