Earlier this week, staff at the Siouxland Humane Society discovered a mother dog and her five puppies left tied to a chain-link fence outside the shelter premises.
The animals were reportedly bound by short leashes or ties that caused them to become entangled with one another — a dangerous condition that led to choking and distress. The abandonment occurred around 2:00 p.m. on October 4, when temperatures reached near 90 °F, compounding the animals’ suffering from heat and dehydration.
Shelter staff acted quickly. According to the humane society, employees rushed to free the dogs, separate them, hydrate them, and move them into cooling, safe environments. The mother and puppies were described as “extremely hot and thirsty” when found.
In a public statement, the Siouxland Humane Society emphasized that no animal will be turned away, regardless of donor contributions. They encourage people who struggle to care for their pets to reach out for support rather than abandoning them. The humane society also offers programs for pet retention, such as a spay/neuter assistance program, a pet food bank, and emergency veterinary help.
Local authorities are being asked to help identify those responsible for the abandonment. Meanwhile, the humane society is urging the community to open their homes to shelter animals during National Adopt a Shelter Dog Month, and to respect the law against animal abandonment.
If you have any information about this incident, or would like to adopt or support the Siouxland Humane Society’s work, please contact them directly.
