Nye County Dogs Recovering Amid Outpouring Of Food, Support

By Dana Gentry, Nevada Current

September 2, 2022

A Nye County unlicensed backyard breeding operation where authorities found 300 dogs, the majority of whom were starving, has been largely cleared and the dogs placed in shelters, according to animal activists.

“This week, a mass grave was also discovered on the premises,” Annoula Wylderich of Animal Protection Affiliates said of one of the Amargosa Valley properties where dogs were discovered on August 23.

Oskana Higgins and Vasili Platunov are charged with felony animal cruelty, according to the Nye County Sheriff. Neighbors had complained to Nye County officials about the operation in the past, according to police records.

A veterinarian in Nye County reported the neglect to authorities when she was brought an emaciated dog to be euthanized.

On Friday afternoon Wylderich posted photos of the rescue operation. One photo shows Caucasian Shepherds left in the triple-digit desert heat for lack of shelter space.

“They hopefully have supplemental cooling with swamp coolers by now,” Wylderich wrote Friday on Facebook.

Wylderich says In response to the emergency need for assistance, volunteers received an outpouring of help from around the country. The Humane Society of the United States sent a portable air conditioning unit to cool puppies found on the property and local organizations pitched in with supplies and transportation to shelters.

The fate of the dogs has yet to be determined, pending the outcome of legal proceedings.

Animal Protection Affiliates has information on how to contribute food or other needs.

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