On March 5, Ridgeway, Henry County Animal Control saved four abandoned German Shepherd puppies near Chestnut Knob Road in Ridgeway.
Shortly after, they received another call about seven more puppies a mile down the road. These puppies were found covered in ticks, malnourished, and tested positive for worms.
Allie Keatts, Henry County Animal Shelter Manager, expressed her dismay, stating, “It’s uncalled for.
The Henry County Animal Shelter is an open-intake shelter for Henry County residents. We would have taken the puppies with open arms. There was no reason that they should have been dumped in the woods to fend for themselves.”
Now, the puppies are in foster care through Virginia German Shepherd Rescue.
While most are recovering well, some are still struggling, with four testing positive for Parvo and one having parasites.
Sheriff Wayne Davis of the Henry County Sheriff’s Office urged responsible pet ownership, emphasizing, “There’s no excuse for anyone to have dropped these animals off in the woods like this.
It’s egregious in my opinion.” The Sheriff’s Office seeks the community’s help in identifying those responsible, who could face charges of animal cruelty and abandonment.
Davis added, “If you’re going to own pets, you need to be responsible. They need to be cared for adequately.
(Puppies are rescued & being given treatment & now safe)
They should be treated more like a family member than just an animals to be dropped in the woods. Please don’t abandon your pets and leave them to die.”
Animal Control also found a female German Shepherd believed to be the mother in the same area a few days prior. Uki, as she’s called, is available for adoption at the Henry County Animal Shelter. Keatts appealed for community support, stating, “We are an open intake facility. We take in new dogs every single day. So, having the community pitch in and help out by fostering and adopting helps us make more space for those animals that continue to come in.”
Watch the Video
An online application to adopt the puppies can be filled out here.
