Entire Puppy Litter Tests Positive for Meth After Rescue From Drug House

A litter of puppies has been rescued from a dire situation inside a meth house.

Their remarkable journey and recovery were shared by Tabitha Leslie, a 36-year-old resident of Rio Rancho, New Mexico, who has taken one of the puppies for foster care.

Leslie's involvement in the life-saving operation was the result of her connection to Chelsea Worley, founder of the East Mountain Animal Companion Project, an organization dedicated to aiding cats and dogs in the East Mountains area around Albuquerque. Worley is renowned for her tireless commitment to animal welfare, and Leslie had previously fostered dogs, including her service dog, Hazel, through Worley's organization.

"It is sad that people have drugs take over their lives. I understand that it can be so rough to be addicted to drugs, but to sell dogs for drugs, and to expose them to that kind of thing, is just sickening," Leslie told Newsweek.

The litter of 6-week-old puppies was discovered in the meth house, where the inside was contaminated with hazardous substances, putting the puppies at serious risk and exposing them to toxic fumes. Grossly neglected, the puppies weren't receiving the care and nourishment they required.

The rescue was set in motion when a volunteer saw an ad for the sale of "Australian Shepherd Puppies" and decided to investigate. Using a burner phone to conceal their purpose, the volunteer contacted the seller and arranged to visit the meth house. The moment the volunteer arrived, it was clear that the puppies were in grave danger.

The volunteer was met with hostility, not allowed inside and handed a female puppy through a window. The condition of the puppies was dire; they showed signs of distress such as pale gums and extreme lethargy. It was evident that profit was the priority for the people behind the cruel operation rather than the well-being of defenseless animals.

"So she took that puppy immediately to the vet and worked with Chelsea to get the other puppies," Leslie said.

A plan was devised to rescue the remaining puppies, but when the seller demanded money, Worley called 911 for a welfare check on the seller and premises.

All six puppies were then rescued, and Worley and her team transported them to a local vet where they received immediate care.

The extent of their suffering was shocking. "They all tested positive for meth," said Leslie. "We have all been in the vet tech field and have encountered dogs accidentally eating meth but never exposed for six weeks to meth."

Some of the animals had mild chemical burns, while others were covered in a smelly tar-like substance.

After the puppies' ordeal, Leslie agreed to take one of the puppies, Woody, to foster him while he recovers.

"Woody was in bad shape the first night. Chelsea had to administer fluids every two hours and change his diapers because he had diarrhea so bad," said Leslie.

The puppy also exhibited more troubling symptoms, including twitching and eye rolling, that raised concerns that he could be having seizures.

Despite the challenges, the puppies are all on a path to recovery and are soon set to be fully vaccinated and regularly monitored for any long-term health problems as a result of their experience.

The mother dog's whereabouts remain unknown, but efforts are underway to locate and rescue her as well. Meanwhile, Leslie and her husband are dedicated to providing round-the-clock care and support for Woody.