Authorities are investigating after more than a dozen dogs were found dumped in a rural area between Innerkip and Bright.
According to Ground Search and Rescue KW, crews were called to the area of Concession 8 on Saturday after a Good Samaritan noticed dogs running loose along the side of the road.
“It’s in the middle of nowhere. It is a giant long road of country,” Katt Burtenshaw, co-founder and president of Ground Search and Rescue KW said. “There are a few houses here, and they’re staggered, but otherwise it’s just all country and all woods.”
In total, 14 dogs up to the age of four-years-old were rescued, including 12 males and two females. Rescuers said they may be a Shih Tzu mix and were found near private land. However, officials believe at least four more animals are missing in nearby fields and wooded areas, which are known to be popular hunting grounds.
“It very quickly became a mission of, ‘Let’s find all these dogs,’ because we don’t know how many there are,” Paige Chambers, executive director of Pawsitively Furever Dog Rescue said.
Rescue crews from Ground Search and Rescue KW and Pawsitively Furever Dog Rescue said the dogs they have found so far were infested with ticks, their fur was matted with dirt and debris and, overall, the animals were in poor condition.
“They’re all of a similar breed. They were all in very similar condition,” Chambers said. “We’re seeing many with cherry eye. Obviously, the matts, three to four inches in matting. We are seeing flea and tick issues on top of other ailments.”
‘Cherry eye’ refers to a condition where a dog’s third eyelid gland prolapses and appears as a pink or reddish bump. It can pose an injury risk if a dog paws at its eye.
“Some of them, their eyes were matted closed,” Burtenshaw said. “Very hard for them to walk. Their legs are matted to their stomachs. A lot of them have cherry eye. Some of them appear to have hernias. They definitely haven’t been well cared for whatsoever.”
Chambers said other local rescue groups and community volunteers all jumped in to help catch the frightened animals.
“The reality is, I don’t know how long they would do very well out there,” Chambers said. “Many of them can’t see because the matting is so bad around their eyes, and they have a level of blindness.”
Rescue teams are still searching for the remaining missing dogs, and Chambers said they do not need any more physical help. However, tips on the dogs’ whereabouts and financial donations are appreciated.
“Our team has been going out with our heat sensing scope,” Burtenshaw said. “We’re able to see them moving through things at night. During the day and at night, they blend in really, really well with the leaves because of their coloring and how matted they are.”
The rescued dogs are now receiving medical treatment and care.
“They will be eventually available for adoption as well. But right now, all of these dogs need time and TLC,” Chambers said. “Unfortunately, with the level of matting they had, there’s a lot of pieces here, like they’re not wanting to eat right away - things like that, because they were very uncomfortable, probably for a long period of time, and then add in running around, they’re pretty sore.”
Officials believe the animals were likely dumped from a puppy mill and they are looking for information about who is responsible.
During the initial search for the dogs, rescue groups also found a dead dog in a garbage bag. Rescuers said that dog appeared to be of another breed and do not believe the incidents are connected. Burtenshaw said she contacted police and animal welfare services about the dead dog, and investigators are looking into it.
“I do think that they are separate incidents, but it’s again, alongside this road. So, it just tells you that it is a little bit of a dumping ground for unwanted animals,” Burtenshaw said.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Ground Search and Rescue KW or local Animal Welfare Services.
The Ministry of the Solicitor General has confirmed they are aware of the incident.
“The ministry can confirm that Animal Welfare Services is actively investigating the matter and therefore, cannot provide additional detail,” Brent Ross, Ministry of the Solicitor General spokesperson, said in an email to CTV News.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Ground Search and Rescue KW, Pawsitively Furever or local Animal Welfare Services.
