November 6, 2006
JOHNSON
CITY - Shivering in the back corner of a cage, a small beagle looked
apprehensive Monday as shelter workers came in to give her some
attention.
The
young dog was one of five malnourished beagles brought to the Washington
County/Johnson City Animal Shelter from a home on Robert Smith Road
where three other dogs were found dead Sunday.
"We
got a call about an old trailer at the end of the road," said
Debbie Dobbs, director of the animal shelter. "The caller said
no one had been there for about a month, and the dogs were behind
a barn there."
When
animal control officers arrived at 112 Robert Smith Road, they found
three dogs - two beagles and a pit bull - already dead, as well
as five beagle mixes that authorities said were "very malnourished
and severely dehydrated."
"The
conditions there were deplorable. The water bowls were full of slime,
leaves and green algae. The only things in the food pans were leaves,"
Dobbs said. "A couple of the dogs were actually chained to
their dog houses and could not leave the premises of that house."
Animal
control officers believe the three deceased dogs died from starvation,
while the five dogs lucky enough to make it out alive are now recovering
from several ailments including malnutrition, parasites and neglect.
"We
took the two worse-off ones to the vet (Monday), and one has a high
fever," Dobbs said. "The vet is keeping that one there
for a little while for observation."
As
of Monday, shelter officials remained unsure as to how long the
dogs had been forced to live in the poor conditions.
"It
can take several weeks to a month to starve a dog to death,"
Dobbs said. "They deteriorate down to where they have no more
muscle mass. Then all you have left is skin and bones."
No
one was home when officers removed the dogs from the residence,
and charges have yet to be placed in the case.
"We
don't know who owns the property or who owns the dogs at this point,"
said Dobbs, who added that the investigation is continuing.
Anyone
with additional information about the animal cruelty is asked to
call the animal shelter at 926-8769.
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