Four emaciated abandoned puppies were rescued outside La Salle, Man., on March 22, according to Manitoba Underdogs Rescue (MUR).
The puppies were found by a Good Samaritan and were extremely malnourished, covered in fleas and nearly frozen.
Three of them were transferred to a foster home but one was readmitted to the veterinary hospital due to weakness, lethargy and low body temperature.
The rescue said the puppy has since been discharged to be with her siblings and will be monitored at home but due to the condition they were left in, the puppies are not out of the woods.
“This just keeps happening in Manitoba. In this case, we suspect a ‘backyard breeder’ abandoned these dogs after failing to sell them,” said Jessica Hansen, MUR executive director.
Hansen said this is the second time in as many months that MUR has come across this situation.
“Combine that with the number of people who are abandoning or relinquishing animals that they adopted during the COVID lockdown and cannot support, and the ballooning stray population in Manitoba and we’re at a full crisis situation.”
Manitoba RCMP said depending on the case, a person who’s abandoned a pet could face animal cruelty and mischief charges.
The rescue is currently over capacity with 100-plus dogs in care and donations trending down.
“We need more funding and a better strategy for dealing with animals in this province. We need help. Foster homes, donations, food. We need help!” said Hansen.
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