(Photos Courtesy of Beaver County Humane Society)
(Aliquippa, PA ) Late Friday afternoon and with help from the City of Beaver Falls Police Department, BCHS humane officers Tristan Wenzig and Samantha Scobie seized 16 dogs from a home in Beaver Falls. The dogs were taken into safekeeping by Beaver County Humane Society (BCHS). Beaver Falls Police had notified BCHS humane officers about the large number of dogs abandoned in a home after the homeowner was taken to the hospital.
BCHS humane officers tried working with the owner on surrender options, but when that wasn’t an option, the officers proceeded to get a warrant to remove the dogs from the home.
“It was deplorable. The dogs were locked in rooms with no access to food or water. The home had space heaters but no running water. The floor was saturated with what appeared to be urine and animal waste.” said Susan Salyards, Executive Director of BCHS. The Beaver Falls Code Enforcement Officer has since condemned the home.
Salyards said, “This situation is an example of how quickly good intentions can go astray, especially since none of the dogs had been spayed or neutered.” “We suspect that the homeowner ultimately lost control of the situation. It doesn’t necessarily mean they’re bad, it just means they’re wrong, and in this case, it’s the animals who suffer,’’ she said.
All of the dogs found were alive and are being triaged for various conditions. They were taken to BCHS, which is handling the cost of their medical care.
Two dogs had to be taken to a local emergency hospital for surgery.
The dog pictured to the right had a collar embedded into its neck. The collar was deep and very close to the dog’s trachea, so the collar had to be surgically removed. “The collar would have taken weeks, if not months, to become embedded so deeply,” Salyards added.
Another dog had toenails so long that they had to be surgically removed. The dogs are also suffering from dental and skin issues, hair loss, and overgrown nails. “It’s clear these dogs were not up to date with vet care.”
The animals will ultimately be placed up for adoption.
If concerned community members would like to help BCHS care for the animals, donations such as dog food can be dropped off at BCHS, 3394 Brodhead Road, Aliquippa, PA 15001 on Tuesdays or Thursdays through Sundays from 10 AM to 4 PM. The shelter is closed on Mondays and Wednesdays.
Monetary donations to help with the cost of vet care, vaccines, worming, flea treatment, etc. also are being accepted by mail or online via the BCHS Web site at https://beavercountyhumanesociety.org/donate-2.
Please visit our Facebook page at @bchumanesociety to follow their story or donate to their care.
Since 1950 the Beaver County Humane Society has been committed to helping animals in the Beaver County Area. Seventy-one years later, more than 4,000 animals receive comfort and care each year.
