[News] Dogs Found At Motel Rescued

[fasteddie]

Montgomery, AL - For dog-lovers like Lois Stephens, the story was hard to believe and equally hard to bear.

Her initial reaction to the news of more than 30 small-breed dogs found earlier this week in Pine Level was one of disgust.

About 22 of the dogs were left in kennels in a parking lot at the Pine Motel on Monday when Autauga County Animal Control Officer Troy Snow said he spotted them and pulled over to investigate.

Snow said an Ohio couple relocating to Elmore County had brought the dogs -- an array of breeds including Yorkshire terriers, Maltese terriers and poodles -- to sell.

The dogs seemed lethargic, having been squeezed in the back of a van during the trip, Snow said.

When the couple could not produce proof of ownership or vaccination records, Snow took the dogs to the Autauga County Humane Society's shelter. Later that day, Snow took another 10 dogs from the couple, who gave them up on the condition they would not be prosecuted.

Since then, local residents have found either permanent or temporary homes for almost all of the dogs. None has been destroyed.

"It makes me sick," said Stephens, a member of a Maltese terrier rescue group who took two of the dogs to Birmingham on Thursday. "It was one of many horrible things that can happen to animals."

An owner of six Maltese terriers herself, Stephens said she enjoys the breed because they don't shed much hair and are great lap dogs.

Nancy Williams, treasurer of the Autauga County Human Society Board, said residents are caring for the dogs until they can be adopted.

"We were inundated with little dogs," Williams said. "I saw five or six (Wednesday) and they were in good shape, much better than they were."

Snow said the many of the dogs were in dirty or unclean kennels. He said it's important for pet owners to keep dogs out of hot vehicles during the summer and keep their water cool.

If not, dogs can dehydrate, get sick and even die.

http://www.montgomeryadvertiser.com/...yV5dogs27w.htm

[wollfy]

That is terrible! How do people have to be so cruel.

[yorkieagility]

It's really sad. At least now most of these dogs have good homes.

[Josie's Mom]

This is so heart breaking. How?...why?...I just don't understand why people do this. I'm so glad these dogs have somewhere for now. This is just amazing

[yorkie93627]

I wonder if anyone can adopt them??????

[StewiesMom]

Very sad. I did not know that Maltese were terriers. I actually still don't think they are. Gotta do some research...

[DiOrGiRLy]

Gosh I hope all of them survive without any complications, some people are so careless and dumb . poor little fur babies

[tschmidt]

Hi, I am from Ohio and I know the couple who brought the dogs. I took three from her in previous years just to save them and have tried to get her to sell out for the past year. I have found homes here in Ohio for dozens of her dogs, and I tried to get her to give them to me to find homes for them instead of taking them to Alabama. I was so worried about them. She called and told me they were confiscated by the HS, and I rejoiced!!!!! PLEASE, whoever is finding homes for them let me know how they come out. I know these pooches personally and care for them very much. I'm so glad the HS found them....it saved me a phone call. I tried to have the HS in Ohio take them but our laws here are so lenient they legally couldn't rescue them. If anyone has questions about any of them, please ask!!!!!
email me, at tschmidt@udata.com
Tami

[tschmidt]

Can anyone put me in touch with Nancy Williams at the Autauga HS? I would love to receive an email from her.
Tami