The Niagara SPCA and Humane Society says it rescued several puppies last week after someone had abandoned them near the Niagara River.
Reports say the puppies were found Thursday after someone had heard whimpering coming from the shoreline.
The finder says they were near a parking lot on Niagara River Parkway, just south of Edgeworth Road when they saw a white SUV speed off from the area.
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Curious, they went over to check things out.
While investigating, they heard a whimpering sound towards the water and headed down to the river’s edge.
When they got there, they found five pups — all cold and lethargic.
One of them had already died while in the river.
“A couple have pulled in just to look at the water they saw a white SUV pull away but when they got out of their car they heard some whimpering and crying so they did a lil bit of an investigation luckily enough and that’s when they found the puppies.” says John Greer, executive director of the Niagara SPCA and Humane Society.
Officers were notified of the find and the remaining four puppies were immediately transported to the Niagara Falls SPCA shelter.
Greer says the puppies were found in rough condition.
At first, the animals were so cold that their body temperatures were too low to be measured, but before long they managed to warm up.
After several hours, the baby shar-peis were eating and drinking again.
The surviving puppies were placed into foster care.
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While the puppies are on the mend, Greer says this isn’t the first time.
“It’s disheartening to see any dog that’s abandoned, over the past year we probably had about six or seven issues where dogs were abandoned in areas that people wouldn’t normally go and find them the same like the puppies that we got here today.”
The executive director is urging pet owners to never abandon their animals.
“We don’t sit and judge when people circumstances change sometimes you can’t afford a vet bill or things change where you can’t afford an animal. You bring it to your local shelter that’s what we’re here for.”
The investigation is ongoing and anyone with information is asked to contact Niagara Parks Police.
