‘Heartbreaking, exhausting.’ Stratford Animal Control investigates incidents of pets dumped in sub-zero temps
One dog and two cats were found abandoned in the frigid temperatures in three separate incidents last week, according to Stratford Animal Control.
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Investigators in Stratford are searching for the people who abandoned animals in the frigid temperatures during three separate incidents last week.
Tiny Tim, a senior dog who has just three legs and is partially blind, is now safe and warm at the Stratford Animal Control Municipal Shelter. He was found in a remote beach area off Oak Bluff Avenue in 19-degree weather, according to officials.
“There's no way that dog could've got there on its own, so someone had to dump it off,” said Animal Control Officer Supervisor Rachel Solveira.
There's also likely no way he could’ve survived on his own, given his physical condition.
“It's heartbreaking. It's exhausting,” Solveira told News 12 about the seemingly endless animal cruelty cases.
Hubie the kitten is another one, abandoned in a locked storage unit at CubeSmart.
“The storage unit had no water, and the cat was just meowing horribly, and that's how we found out about it. Someone called,” Solveira explained.
In the third incident, a cat called Matilda was left outside Oronoque Animal Hospital when it was closed. The temperature was just 17 degrees.
“They're currently all under investigation. We're asking for any leads,” Solveira said.
The animal advocacy group Desmond's Army is offering a $5,000 reward in each of the Stratford cases if information leads to an arrest.
According to Solveira, the rise of neglect and abuse incidents isn't just local.
“We are calling it a crisis,” she stated.
It comes as shelters across the state are overwhelmed with animals, per Solveira.
“I've been an animal control officer for 29 years, and I’ve been here in Stratford for 19 years. I have never seen it this bad. We are full all the time,” Solveira told News 12.
Solveira said she attributes the issue in part to thousands of dogs being brought in from other states by rescues. There's also the economy with animal supplies and vet costs up significantly. The shelter knows that first-hand. Its volunteer group, Stratford Animal Rescue Society, is continually raising money to cover the growing vet bills.
“We have to rely on the community to help us meet the needs of the animals,” Solveira explained. “Many of the animals come in, they're shut down. They're scared, so you have to do a lot of rehabilitation, and they also come with special needs. They need special diets. They need medical care. Some of them need surgeries.”
If you’d like to make a donation, click here. The shelter also has an Amazon Wish List.
