The dogs are doing fine but need places to call home.

Two weeks after Chesterfield County authorities confiscated Molly, Turtle, A.J. and Rainbow, along with 47 of their fellow housemates, most of the small, mixed-breed canines are ready to begin new lives with new families.

Many have been adopted by individuals or taken in by animal welfare groups.

The makeshift family of pets, all 51, were removed June 10 from a 29-year-old man's home in Ettrick. Authorities said they were living in less-than-desirable conditions. As of late yesterday, about 17 dogs remained, including six puppies that can't immediately be adopted.

The dogs weren't mistreated or malnourished, but their sheer numbers created the unfit conditions in which they lived. Owner David B. Aboud cared for his pets and considered them his family, but became overwhelmed as their numbers grew, animal control officers say.

Aboud had given names to all 51 of the dogs and could identify each without hesitation, said Alice Berry, supervisor of Chesterfield's animal shelter.

They include mixed breeds of beagles, terriers, pugs, long-haired dachshunds and King Charles Cavalier spaniels. The largest are mongrel Labs.

Aboud could not be located for comment. The large wood-frame house with white peeling paint that he shared with the dogs on Light Street was still marked condemned yesterday.

He faces a July 24 court hearing on charges of animal cruelty, failing to vaccinate the dogs for rabies and not having current dog licenses.

The skittishness and fright that afflicted many of the animals after being pulled suddenly from Aboud's home has now largely passed, Berry said.

Initially, "They were just scared to death," Berry said. "Think of 51 children being in a house and never being around other people, and then trying to send them out" to dozens of different homes.

Although most of the dogs are now settled, a few need special attention.

The process to find homes for the dogs received a boost last week when Aboud agreed to relinquish custody of all but three of the animals, which he intends to keep if a county judge gives the OK, Berry said.

Some of the dogs have already been adopted. Others have been taken by animal rescue groups like the Richmond Animal League and Mid-Atlantic Pug Rescue, which will help the animals transition into a new life.

"They're absolutely adoptable dogs, but from what I understand they just haven't had a lot of life experience," said Pam Bridgmon, kennel manager for the Richmond Animal League, which took seven of the dogs. "So we take them in and kind of get them used to the idea of trusting people and that life outside is a good thing -- just get them used to everyday occurrences a normal dog would go through."

All 51 dogs were examined by a veterinarian and found to be in good health, Berry said.

"Obviously, we'd like to find to find them homes," Berry said. "But it's the welfare of the animals, too, that we're concerned with. We're not in a desperation mode" to place them.
Contact Mark Bowes (804) 649-6450 or mbowes@timesdispatch.com.