Most dogs hoarded in Bedford County have been adopted, humane society said

BEDFORD COUNTY (WTAJ)– Almost six months since over 90 dogs were rescued from a Bedford County home, the Bedford County Humane Society is close to finding forever homes for all of the dogs involved.

It has been a long hard road for the humane society workers and volunteers, and a long recovery for the dogs that were saved. Like Chunk, the chocolate lab that Crist King of Martinsburg adopted.

“Met him,” King said. “Fell in love. Got him. We brought him home Super Bowl Sunday.”

King said that he can’t thank the humane society enough for how they’ve helped Chunk improve in such a short amount of time.

“He’s gotten so much stronger,” King said. “His coat is better. He just wants to be loved he wants to be petted. One of his favorite things is getting a cheeseburger. Fresh water too, because it’s not something that they had a lot of.”

Many of the dogs rescued were kept in floor-to-ceiling cages, with little to no food, water or outside time. The case against the owners of the home, Nyal and Renee Piper, is still ongoing. The two face nearly 500 charges each for animal cruelty, neglect and the aggravated assault of animals.

“I think the case with the Piper’s is probably one of the worst cases that I’m aware of that has come through this area,” Bedford County District Attorney Ashlan Clark said.

Currently, the Piper’s are both out on bail, after it was reduced by a judge from $1 million to $250,000 each. The terms of their bail state that neither can own any animals. Clark said the next expected court date for them will be June 24.

“But there would not be anything on the record in front of a judge that date if there was a plea reached,” Clark said. “That would be something that would be specially scheduled and notice would be provided if people do want to attend that.”

King attended the arraignments of the Pipers and said that while he has a lot of strong opinions on them and the case, that’s not what is important right now.

“Not to be rude but I don’t really care about that,” King said. “The court will do what it needs to do. The big thing is he’s one of the victims. All the dogs up on the walls here, all the ones of the dogs in here, they’re the victims. And that’s the part to remember.”

As for Chunk, it is safe to say that many more cheeseburgers and walks are on the way.

”Every now and then he’ll just break out into a run,” King said. “For no real reason other then just the joy on his face of like hey look what I can do.”

Currently, two remaining dogs, Kibble and Petey, were rescued from the Bedford home at the shelter. If you are interested in adopting them or any other pets you are asked to contact the Bedford County Humane Society.