Donations roll in to help care for 161 dogs seized near Jefferson City

HELENA - Donations have been coming in from around the world to help care for 161 malamutes seized earlier this month, officials at the Lewis and Clark Humane Society say.

"It's been honestly the most heart-warming thing I've ever been involved with,'' said Liz Harrison, development director for the local Humane Society.

She told the Independent Record that an Idaho pet food distributor dropped off more than a ton of dog food and that a "Dogtoberfest'' event at the Lewis and Clark Brewer raised $3,600. Donations have come from Italy, Brazil and Sweden, as well as a 5-year-old girl who gave $5, she said.

The dogs were seized from Mike Chilinski earlier this month at his home south of Jefferson City. He has pleaded not guilty to 91 felony counts of cruelty to animals, a misdemeanor animal cruelty charge; one count of possession of dangerous drugs with intent to distribute; and one count of production or manufacture of dangerous drugs.

Harrison said the Humane Society hired three more staff members to help care for the largest animal rescue that it has been involved with. She said the U.S. Humane Society also had its staff help in the effort, which is costing $2,500 a day. Twenty of the dogs are pregnant, she said.

The dogs are living in large kennels and doghouses, many donated by PetSmart Charities, part of PetSmart Inc. The group also donated water dishes, collars and enough other items to fill a pair of tractor-trailers.

David Atwood, the manager of R&R Pet Foods, an Idaho distributor, said he heard about the malamutes from a sales representative of Natura Pet Products. Atwood called Canidae, WellPet and other companies who, along with R&R, made donations.

"I just got everybody together, and we put something together to help the dogs out,'' said Atwood.

Dana Coil, owner of Pet Town, along with others on Wednesday, hauled food valued at about $2,600 to the Humane Society. "I just think it's awesome that people would do this,'' she said.

The dogs can't be adopted with the criminal case ongoing as they belong to Chilinski and he might want them back if he's acquitted, authorities said.