Animal advocates report abandoned dogs found in southern Ontario recovering well

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Following a story from last week, 25 Shih Tzus were dumped in fields around Flamborough, Cambridge, and Oxford County.

Since then all 25 dogs have survived, though one of them gave birth, but all of that dog’s puppies in the litter died.

Hamilton’s Fur Warriors Rescue took in four of the 25 Shih Tzus found wandering in farmers’ fields in southern Ontario two weeks ago.

A vet had to do a c-section on one of the dogs.

Ashley DaSilva says the dog was only a year old, and already had another litter when she was six months old.

“Due to the damage that was inside of her and then her pressure dropped during surgery, she became high risk, but now she’s awake, she’s responsive,” said DaSilva.

WATCH MORE: Dogs in ‘horrendous’ condition after being abandoned in rural southern Ontario

She had seven puppies, all who seem healthy except one has a deformed back paw.

Denise Angus of Mattie’s Place Dog rescue in Toronto, took in 13 of the 25 dogs — she too had one that was pregnant.

“Sadly one of the dogs that we did have that was pregnant, she had five babies,” said Angus. “She lost all of them, unfortunately, so it’s been a little bit of a tough go with that.”

Though she says the others in her care are recovering well.

“They’re all very sweet and kind dogs, they lack most social skills, they have no leash skills, they’re nervous, they’re a little shy, they obviously have never lived as companion pets,” said Angus. “This is all new for them, being in homes and, you know, having love and kindness, and compassion and patience and all those things.”

Ladybird Animal Sanctuary in Hamilton took in two of the Shih Tzus and says they are doing better than expected.

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“They have their neuter surgeries and cherry eye removal on Thursday, so they’ll feel a lot better after that,” said Lisa Winn with the Lady Bird Animal Sanctuary. “Their fur is growing back in there, the big scab that was on the one dog’s head is clearing up.”

Animal Welfare Services is investigating, but animal rescues that spoke with CHCH News said they aren’t confident anyone will be charged.

“I have mixed reviews with PAWS (Progressive Animal Welfare Services), they have been incredibly helpful to Mattie’s Place in some cases, and they have been very dismissive in other cases,” said Angus, “so I’m not hopeful.”

“It’s defeating because we don’t see light at the end of the tunnel,” said DaSilva. “We’re cleaning up these messes where we’re being indicted with these huge medical bills and these dogs in absolutely atrocious condition, and there’s no consequences.”

Because they don’t think Animal Welfare Services will do enough to crack the case, the rescue organizations said they are doing their own investigations.

Even testing the DNA of the dogs, to see if they can find a match with a recently purchased puppy.

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