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Dogs Removed From Owners
After Being Left Out In Cold
TheDenverChannel.com
Newsroom
January
15 , 2007
Two
pitbulls were removed from a home in Boulder County last week after
neighbors called animal control, worried that the dogs had been
left outside in extremely cold temperatures for several days.
One of the dogs suffered from frostbite and the other had to be
euthanized because of the severity of its injuries, the Boulder
Humane Society said.
The owners of the dogs have been charged with two counts of animal
cruelty, according to the Boulder County Animal Control.
The dogs were removed from the home Thursday evening and brought
to the Humane Society of Boulder Valley for care.
The male dog, which had been sick earlier in the week, was not able
to stand or walk, and over the course of the next few days, his
condition had deteriorated, vets at the Humane Society said.
"We do not know what the initial cause of the male's condition
was, but the exposure this week to the cold weather conditions certainly
took their toll on this dog," said Humane Society of Boulder
Valley veterinarian Dr. Lesli Hick.
"Because the male dog did not receive immediate care his condition
was extremely grave, our vets determined the most humane thing to
do was to euthanize the dog, said Jan McHugh-Smith, chief executive
officer of the Humane Society of Boulder Valley.
The female dog was generally in good health, but had suffered frostbite,
authorities said.
"If animal control had been contacted sooner the outcome might
have been very different. It is a very sad situation," McHugh-Smith
said. "This case exemplifies the importance of providing pets
with safe and warm shelter. Keeping your pets indoors when cold
weather occurs is vital. Reporting neglect and cruelty quickly is
vital to ensure the best possible outcome for any animal in distress.
A phone call to your local animal care and control officer or police
department is the most
important step to getting help. We rely on members of our community
to assist officers in identifying cruelty and neglect cases so we
can end the suffering of animals in these types of situations."
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