Chrissy Hamilton, Old Dominion Humane Society founder, joined other rescue teams to save dozens of dogs in Patrick County last week. Making the nearly 10-hour round trip drive from Fredericksburg, Hamilton, who has participated in dog rescues before says she found the adult dogs and puppies living in some of the most horrendous conditions she’s seen.
The canines were abandoned in crates outside without food or water as the temperatures soared to nearly 90 degrees.
Hamilton says Old Dominion Humane Society took 14 dogs from the site. She says seven of them were dehydrated puppies. “Some of the dogs we rescued have coccidia and other parasites, and others were covered in fleas.” Coccidia are microscopic parasites found in contaminated feces or environments and infect the gastrointestinal tract of dogs. It’s a condition that’s especially dire for puppies and immunocompromised dogs and can lead to serious health issues and death.
Trapped in crates, some stacked on top of others, the dogs were abandoned on the property and left to die. A dog named Klaus that was later taken to Old Dominion had chewed a large hole in the side of his crate in an unsuccessful attempt to set himself free. Others have wounds on their heads and bodies. Many dogs have nails so long that they were curled into their skin, causing infections.
“One of the dogs we saved is about to give birth any day,” said Hamilton. “Thankfully, she’ll be with one of our fosters and not in the blistering sun without shelter or water or covered in ants and flies. All of the adult dogs are scared out of their minds and aren’t used to human touch at all.”
Upon their arrival to Old Dominion the dogs were examined, treated for medical conditions, fed and given water, as well as provided with clean kennels and soft blankets for a chance to decompress.
Hamilton says fosters took most of the dogs into their homes.
Volunteers witnessed the results of the neglect when the dogs cowered in the back of their kennels, turned their heads away and were afraid to make eye contact. With a lot of patience, the volunteers were able to get the dogs out of their crates for a walk, but most of the rescues had never experienced a leash. Instead, they laid down or found a corner, unsure of what to do. With the first show of kindness they’d ever been given, some of the dogs, including Klaus, accepted treats.
Hamilton joined People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, Dogs Deserve Better Blue Ridge, Sanctuary Rescue and Squishy Face Crew in rescuing the dogs.
Old Dominion Humane Society is located at 3602 Lafayette Boulevard in Fredericksburg. Adoption events are Wednesdays from 5-7 p.m., Fridays from 6-8 p.m., Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Sundays from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Applications in advance are preferred and take priority over walk-ins. For more information about the dogs available for adoption and adoption surveys, as well as upcoming events, volunteering, fostering and donating items, visit https://www.olddominionhumanesociety.org.
Photos: Old Dominion Humane Society (Chrissy Hamilton is second from left in group picture)
