20 Dogs Found in Horrific Conditions

Twenty dogs and puppies were left behind in rural Arkansas when their owner moved away.

When rescuers contacted the new owner of the property, they were told they had two weeks to get all the dogs or he would begin shooting them. All the local animal shelters were completely full, and the rescuers were desperate. When they reached out to Wright-Way, we immediately said yes to the mommas and babies that were there, and, shortly after, we confirmed that we could take them all. 

Their previous owner was an elderly man in his 70’s whose property in Faulkner County, Arkansas had become a dumping ground for unwanted dogs. This gentleman took in these dogs with good intentions, but he failed to spay or neuter them. In addition, irresponsible pet owners in the surrounding community continued to target his property as a place to leave their dogs. Over the years, the situation turned from one of kindness to a full blown hoarding case. 

As the animal population continued to grow, he moved into a camper on the property and let the dogs live in the house. Dogs were found in rooms filled with feces, burrowed under the foundation, or bedding down in the filthy workshop. 

When he moved, he took more than half the dogs with him, including puppies, but there were still twenty who he left behind. He was coming by to feed them, but no arrangements had been made for their care. Neighbors began to notice the dogs running loose and reached out to rescuers. They tracked down the owner who agreed to relinquish the dogs he had left behind as well as work with them to spay or neuter those still in his possession. 

Rescuers had to cut through the floor and the walls as well as crawl under the house to reach all the dogs. One mama dog was living under the house and would move her pups out of reach every time a new area of the floor was opened up.The dogs are all good natured, but they are shy and undersocialized. It took rescuers more than three weeks to catch them all (thankfully, the new property owner extended his deadline).

The last two dogs were so shy without their friends that rescuers had to set a live trap to catch them. They had to borrow a coyote trap from a community member, and with it they were able to successfully catch one of the remaining dogs. When the last dog was finally caught, however, the previous owner came before the rescuers could arrive, and he took both the dog and the trap. Later, he relinquished the trap, but he still refuses to surrender the dog. 

Like object hoarding, animal hoarding is often borne out of depression, anxiety, or loneliness. Animal hoarders continue to take on more and more pets, without seeing that they cannot care for those already in their possession. The animals do not receive basic veterinary care or spay/neuter surgeries, and significant medical issues go untended, as is the case with Gracie Mae. Gracie Mae’s right rear paw does not function correctly, causing her to “knuckle over” and walk on the top of it. Without corrective therapy or, more likely, a surgery, 

Every year, thousands upon thousands of pets in Rural America are neglected, abandoned, or even abused. Wright-Way Rescue is dedicated to helping them find a new life in a loving forever home.

We work tireless to transport animals from these terrible situations to our Admissions Center where they receive all the medical care they need to live healthy, happy lives with their new adoptive families.

This lifesaving work is only possible with the help of our amazing donors and volunteers. Thank you for your support!