In the midst of celebrating Mardi Gras, we received word of a horrible abuse/neglect case of many dogs, near Meridian, MS. At first we told the caller that we were so overloaded we just couldn’t take on anymore dogs, let alone several dogs. Then a few more days passed and we heard from the local women who were trying to help, that 5 dogs had died from starvation and/or from being in mud up to their bellies and freezing from the snow. These dogs had been left behind when their owner got arrested, for her mother to “care for”. This mother was barely able to take care of herself, both physically and mentally, so the dogs were left to die slowly. A relative alerted some local dog people who jumped into action to try and save what they could. They took the small dogs first and a few others. But they didn’t have the means to house the Pit Bulls, American Bulldogs, and Mastiffs. When we saw the pictures and learned of the 5 dogs dying since first being notified, guilt set in, despite the hundreds of please for help we get daily. Somehow we had to get involved and by the time we were able to arrange transportation, etc, one more dog had died. This became beyond a 911 call and we headed to the small town just outside of Meridian.
At first glance, one would think this was a possible dog fighting situation but it was actually a group of weight pulling dogs whose owner actively competed with. All of the dogs had GREAT temperaments and were beyond thrilled to see the Villalobos family there to save them. Though some were in better condition than others, many are so skinny and weak that they wobble when they walk. We are already anticipating huge vet bills.
In the next few days, we will put up separate profiles for each dog in case anyone would like to specifically sponsor that dog but in the interim, any help towards the growing vet bills will be so appreciated. Though it is causing quite the hardship on us, it sure does make you feel good to see them now snuggled up on clean, warm blankets, snoring away. This is the part of the rescue that hurts yet feels so good.