Animal Service Center of the Mesilla Valley reportedly ordered to return 5 dogs to suspected animal abuser

LAS CRUCES, NM - – ASCMV has reportedly been ordered to return 5 fostered dogs to their owner, who is accused of animal abuse.

The agency reportedly needs to have the dogs returned to their owner by 3:50 pm on June 1.

According to a complaint sent to ABC7, the 5 dogs were initially taken into care of a foster home back after a dead dog was found on a chain on the owner's property. A different foster was returning another one of the owner's dogs when she discovered how bad the condition of the property was.

The dead dog found on the chain appeared to be trying to head towards a tree for shade when it died.

The fostered dogs were chipped, fixed, and vaccinated for free, courtesy of the shelter.

Neither the shelter or the Doña Ana County Sheriff's Department have commented on why the decision was made to return the dogs.