Most of the chihuahuas taken from a Burleigh County woman's home will be sent to out-of-state rescue groups for adoption.

The dogs, many of which are being held at the Bismarck Police Department's animal impound, will not be available for public viewing or local adoption.

The Burleigh County Sheriff's Department on Saturday took 47 dogs from Lila Peterson's home. In early February, a concerned citizen alerted the state veterinarian's office about the number of dogs in Peterson's home. At the time, the sheriff's department said Peterson had 75 chihuahuas in her basement.

Peterson told the Tribune she gave away or sold 51 chihuahuas since early February. The dogs taken Saturday included puppies born in the past week, her husband's hunting dog and a neutered family pet. Six cats also were taken.

The Bismarck Police Department's animal impound and Central Dakota Humane Society agreed to house and care for the animals for the sheriff's department, Bismarck Police Lt. Steve Kilde said. He said the department does not have enough money in the budget to continue caring for the animals and preparing them for adoption, which would include spaying or neutering them.

Central Dakota Humane Society's involvement with the incident includes assisting with getting the dogs up to date on vaccinations and helping to care for them, Kilde said.

"All we're really doing is housing the animals," he said.

Prairie Paws Rescue, a volunteer animal rescue shelter in Jamestown, took three nursing females and their puppies and one pregnant female who has since given birth, said Kaye John, president of Prairie Paws. Prairie Paws has placed the 25 dogs in "foster homes," which take in pets until permanent homes are found.

"Everybody is doing well,"she said.

John said the dogs will be given to reputable rescue groups who have expressed interest in the chihuahuas once they are no longer quarantined. Also, several may be adopted by people in North Dakota who have expressed interest, but no information will be given out about where any of the dogs are headed for privacy reasons, John said. The animals will be spayed or neutered before adoption, she said.

Missy Hilsendeger, an animal control warden with the Bismarck Police Department, said Prairie Paws Rescue can do what they wish with the animals they took in.

Peterson on Saturday signed a "notice of confiscation of animals" that said she could try to redeem her animals within five days. Peterson declined to comment Thursday on the situation.

The Burleigh County Sheriff's Department deferred comment on the case to the state's attorney's office.

Burleigh County Assistant State's Attorney Cynthia Feland, who is handling the case for the county, was not in the office Thursday afternoon for comment, nor was State's Attorney Richard Riha. Assistant State's Attorneys Ty Turner and Lloyd Suhr said they did not have enough knowledge about the case to comment on the process used to determine how animals in such circumstances would be returned to an owner.

(Reach reporter Jenny Michael at 250-8225 or jenny.michael@;bismarcktribune.com.)