GUELPH/ERAMOSA – The Guelph Humane Society was called out to the Guelph Lake Conservation Area on May 26 to rescue a dog that was found covered in excrement in the tank of an outhouse washroom.
“It is very disturbing that a dog could be abandoned in such alarming and dire circumstances,” GHS executive director Lisa Veit stated in a news release about the discovery.
The female chihuahua, which is believed to be about six years old, was found inside the in-ground outhouse holding tank by a conservation officer, who contacted the Humane Society.
It was not clear how long the dog had been in the tank, but she was “covered in human urine and feces and in a thin body condition, suggesting she had not eaten for several days,” the release stated.
“All of us here at GHS, and we expect the entire community, are extremely distressed as to what may have happened to her had she not been discovered and rescued,” Veit stated.
The Humane Society immediately transferred the dog – now dubbed Cleo – to a veterinary clinic for care and assessment.
Contacted via email, GHS communications director Jane Dawkins said Cleo had some scalding on her belly from the excrement she was lying in, but she is expected to make a full recovery.
“Cleo did arrive with signs of neglect and it is likely that she will require all of her teeth to be removed from severe dental disease,” Dawkins said.
The incident was reported to the Provincial Animal Welfare Service for further investigation, and GHS is asking anyone who might have information about it to call 1-833-9-ANIMAL.
Veit stated that though pet abandonment should never happen, all too often it does.
“If you are unable to care for an animal, we ask that you please contact GHS to arrange a surrender or other assistance,” she stated.
“GHS offers several programs to assist pet owners in distress. Leaving animals on their own without care is inhumane.”
Donations to support GHS and assist with Cleo’s care can be made at guelphhumane.ca.
