Moore Humane Society (MHS) was recently contacted by a woman concerned about an ongoing situation in the West
End area. According the caller, area residents had been complaining for over two years about the many dogs being kept
outside on a property littered with junk cars, tires, and trash. In addition, the home had been condemned, and the family
was living in a dilapidated RV on the property without running water or electricity. We immediately contacted Animal
Control (AC) and the Health Department and voiced our concerns. With the permission of AC, we went out to the property
to assess the situation and see if we could offer some assistance. What we encountered was something we never
could have imagined.
At least 30 dogs were on chains throughout the property. Dogs of all sizes were tied to trees, posts and cars. Their
shelter consisted of metal and plastic barrels, paint buckets, trailer tops and the occasional homemade dog house.
Some dogs were left to seek shelter under cars. None of these structures were in compliance with the current Animal
Control Ordinance which states “examples of unacceptable shelter include, but are not limited to, the following:
underneath outside steps; decks or stoops; underneath houses; inside or underneath motor vehicles; inside cardboard
boxes; inside metal barrels;…or shelters surrounded by waste, debris, obstructions or impediments that may endanger
an animal.”
Many of the dogs were tangled around trees or other obstructions and couldn’t reach their shelter. Food bowls were
nowhere to be found. Most of the water dishes consisted of rusted hubcaps, old pots and pans and tops of coolers. Not
every dog had access to the water bowls, and those that did were forced to drink water that was dirty and stagnant.
We introduced ourselves to the owner of the property and asked him if he needed anything. He stated he needed dog
food. We immediately went to the grocery store and purchased several large bags of dog food and six large bags of pine
chips. We also purchased hot food and coffee as well as some blankets for the owner and his sister.
Once we arrived back at the property, we fed and watered all the dogs and lined their makeshift shelters with pine chips.
Several of the dogs appeared ill and, with the owner’s permission, we took those dogs back to the shelter with us. As we
were leaving, the owner asked us to come back again and feed the dogs, which we did on both Saturday and Sunday.
On Saturday, the owner told us he had too many dogs and needed to get rid of them. With his permission, we took
several more dogs with us that day. On the following day, while feeding the remaining dogs, we came across a dog
carcass and wondered how many others had perished due to the horrible conditions in which they were being kept.
In addition to the dogs surrendered to us by the owner, we also went to AC later that week and selected one of the dogs
AC had seized from the property as well.
After arriving at MHS, most of the dogs were found to be suffering from internal and external parasites and other health
issues related to malnutrition and poor hygiene. We believe that with a little TLC, these sweet dogs will be ready for
adoption soon. A few of the dogs have a tougher road ahead, as they are in need of more extensive medical treatment.
These dogs include Mattie, a collie mix who has tested positive for heartworms. With the help of our veterinarian, we
have started Mattie’s treatment and are very optimistic about her recovery. Two of the dogs, Hercules and Susie, have
already received a clean bill of health and have been adopted into loving homes. We wish them and their new families all
the best as they embark on their new journey in life.
Had it not been for the persistence of concerned neighbors and ultimately MHS’s call to action, these dogs would
probably still be living in the miserable condition in which they were found. It breaks our hearts to know these sweet
animals have been deprived of not only love and affection, but also basic needs such as food and clean water. Yet,
knowing we cannot change the past, we are looking ahead. We are looking forward to a creating a happier future for
these brave survivors and placing them into forever homes where they will be loved and cherished. After all, they deserve
the best that life has to offer.
If you would like to make a donation to help care for these wonderful dogs, please send a check to the address below, or
you may make a donation online.
To learn more about the Moore County Animal Control Ordinance, please click here. To learn about the dangers
associated with chaining/tethering, please click here.
Moore Humane Society
P.O. Box 203
Southern Pines, NC 28388
Photos of the rescue can be viewed here but please be aware that some of the photos may be disturbing to some
viewers.
UPDATE!!
Mattie has been adopted!
End area. According the caller, area residents had been complaining for over two years about the many dogs being kept
outside on a property littered with junk cars, tires, and trash. In addition, the home had been condemned, and the family
was living in a dilapidated RV on the property without running water or electricity. We immediately contacted Animal
Control (AC) and the Health Department and voiced our concerns. With the permission of AC, we went out to the property
to assess the situation and see if we could offer some assistance. What we encountered was something we never
could have imagined.
At least 30 dogs were on chains throughout the property. Dogs of all sizes were tied to trees, posts and cars. Their
shelter consisted of metal and plastic barrels, paint buckets, trailer tops and the occasional homemade dog house.
Some dogs were left to seek shelter under cars. None of these structures were in compliance with the current Animal
Control Ordinance which states “examples of unacceptable shelter include, but are not limited to, the following:
underneath outside steps; decks or stoops; underneath houses; inside or underneath motor vehicles; inside cardboard
boxes; inside metal barrels;…or shelters surrounded by waste, debris, obstructions or impediments that may endanger
an animal.”
Many of the dogs were tangled around trees or other obstructions and couldn’t reach their shelter. Food bowls were
nowhere to be found. Most of the water dishes consisted of rusted hubcaps, old pots and pans and tops of coolers. Not
every dog had access to the water bowls, and those that did were forced to drink water that was dirty and stagnant.
We introduced ourselves to the owner of the property and asked him if he needed anything. He stated he needed dog
food. We immediately went to the grocery store and purchased several large bags of dog food and six large bags of pine
chips. We also purchased hot food and coffee as well as some blankets for the owner and his sister.
Once we arrived back at the property, we fed and watered all the dogs and lined their makeshift shelters with pine chips.
Several of the dogs appeared ill and, with the owner’s permission, we took those dogs back to the shelter with us. As we
were leaving, the owner asked us to come back again and feed the dogs, which we did on both Saturday and Sunday.
On Saturday, the owner told us he had too many dogs and needed to get rid of them. With his permission, we took
several more dogs with us that day. On the following day, while feeding the remaining dogs, we came across a dog
carcass and wondered how many others had perished due to the horrible conditions in which they were being kept.
In addition to the dogs surrendered to us by the owner, we also went to AC later that week and selected one of the dogs
AC had seized from the property as well.
After arriving at MHS, most of the dogs were found to be suffering from internal and external parasites and other health
issues related to malnutrition and poor hygiene. We believe that with a little TLC, these sweet dogs will be ready for
adoption soon. A few of the dogs have a tougher road ahead, as they are in need of more extensive medical treatment.
These dogs include Mattie, a collie mix who has tested positive for heartworms. With the help of our veterinarian, we
have started Mattie’s treatment and are very optimistic about her recovery. Two of the dogs, Hercules and Susie, have
already received a clean bill of health and have been adopted into loving homes. We wish them and their new families all
the best as they embark on their new journey in life.
Had it not been for the persistence of concerned neighbors and ultimately MHS’s call to action, these dogs would
probably still be living in the miserable condition in which they were found. It breaks our hearts to know these sweet
animals have been deprived of not only love and affection, but also basic needs such as food and clean water. Yet,
knowing we cannot change the past, we are looking ahead. We are looking forward to a creating a happier future for
these brave survivors and placing them into forever homes where they will be loved and cherished. After all, they deserve
the best that life has to offer.
If you would like to make a donation to help care for these wonderful dogs, please send a check to the address below, or
you may make a donation online.
To learn more about the Moore County Animal Control Ordinance, please click here. To learn about the dangers
associated with chaining/tethering, please click here.
Moore Humane Society
P.O. Box 203
Southern Pines, NC 28388
Photos of the rescue can be viewed here but please be aware that some of the photos may be disturbing to some
viewers.
UPDATE!!
Mattie has been adopted!
| West End Rescue |
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