by Dana Gray

Editor: the Caledonian-Record is the daily newspaper for Caledonia County and the rest of the Northeast Kingdom, and northwestern New Hampshire. This story was republished in rewritten form with the permission of its author, CR Editor Dana Gray.

A Concord couple has been charged with child and animal cruelty after authorities executed a search warrant at their South Street home on Wednesday, March 12, uncovering what officials described as deplorable living conditions for both children and animals, the Caledonian-Record reported. 

Mark Whitney, 49, and Rebecca Knowles, 50, face multiple charges after law enforcement removed 19 dogs from their home, where three additional dogs and a lizard were found deceased, bagged, and frozen. Several children, all of middle school age or younger, were also living in the unsanitary residence.

The search warrant was executed at 8 a.m. in a multi-agency operation led by Essex County Sheriff Trevor Colby. The effort included Vermont Fish & Wildlife officers, Vermont State Police troopers, Concord Animal Control, Riverside Animal Rescue, and Woodlands Veterinary Clinic.

Disturbing Conditions Uncovered

Sheriff Colby stated that authorities had visited the residence previously due to concerns about the number of animals and the welfare of the children. On Wednesday, they found the home covered in urine and feces, with many dogs confined to crates without access to water.

“It was an awful, ugly, nasty situation,” said Sharon Eaton, director of Riverside Animal Rescue.

Despite the unsanitary conditions, the sheriff noted that none of the dogs appeared malnourished.

Whitney and Knowles voluntarily surrendered 16 dogs, while three others were taken with the couple expressing a desire to reclaim them. The remaining dogs were required to undergo veterinary evaluation.

Suspected Breeding Operation

Eaton believes the couple was running an unregulated breeding operation for financial gain.

“This wasn’t a situation that got out of hand,” she said. “This was the express thought that there would be money involved in this.”

With most dogs surrendered, Riverside Rescue has begun preparing them for adoption, though the process will require significant resources. Eaton estimates the organization will need thousands of dollars to cover veterinary care, grooming, spaying, and neutering.

Legal Consequences and Next Steps

Whitney and Knowles have been cited to appear in Essex Superior Court on April 15 to face child and animal cruelty charges. Their fate, as well as that of the remaining dogs they wish to keep, will be determined by the court.

The search and removal operation lasted four hours. Authorities used a rented U-Haul and multiple trips by Riverside Animal Rescue to transport the dogs. Eaton commended the couple’s willingness to surrender most of the animals, stating that similar cases often involve greater resistance.

“We just feel so grateful that they surrendered so many,” she said.

For those interested in supporting Riverside Animal Rescue’s efforts, donation opportunities are available at www.riverside animal rescue.org.