Several dogs are dead after a house fire damaged a home near Sparta Sunday night. The Sparta Area Fire District responded to the fire after a passerby reported heavy smoke coming from the home.
The owners were not home but firefighters found several dogs in kennels in the home. Firefighters found 14 adult dogs and 12 puppies that died from smoke inhalation along with two cats. Several dogs in outside kennels were unharmed.
The cause of the fire is still under investigation. The fire department was assisted by the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office, Sparta Ambulance Service, Cataract 1st Responders, Monroe County 911 Center, Monroe County Humane Officer, Wisconsin State Patrol, and Xcel Energy.