Editor’s Note: This article contains photos and descriptions of animal neglect. Viewer discretion is advised.
COLONIAL HEIGHTS, Va. (WRIC) — Two dogs soaked in urine and feces were found abandoned outside of a Colonial Heights shelter on Saturday, with animal control officials searching for the person responsible.
On Saturday, Sept. 6, two dogs were left outside of the Colonial Heights SPCA.
They were abandoned in crates that were filthy with urine and feces, according to Colonial Heights Animal Control. The dogs themselves were also covered in it, and both were noticeably skinny.
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Dogs found abandoned outside of the Colonial Heights SPCA on Sept. 6. (Photo: Colonial Heights Animal Control) -
Dogs found abandoned outside of the Colonial Heights SPCA on Sept. 6. (Photo: Colonial Heights Animal Control) -
The crates that held the dogs found abandoned outside of the Colonial Heights SPCA on Sept. 6. (Photo: Colonial Heights Animal Control) -
The crates that held the dogs found abandoned outside of the Colonial Heights SPCA on Sept. 6. (Photo: Colonial Heights Animal Control) -
The crates that held the dogs found abandoned outside of the Colonial Heights SPCA on Sept. 6. (Photo: Colonial Heights Animal Control)
The dogs were taken to the county shelter for a thorough bath. The coat of one of the dogs — described as a “shepherd, chow-like dog” — was found to be matted, while urine stained the white patches of the pittie mix’s fur. Both had overgrown nails.
Pictures provided by animal control officials show how dark the water became as they were washed.
“Not to mention that both of them [were] trying to scarf down and suck up their bath water since they were so thirsty,” officials said.
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Dogs found abandoned outside of the Colonial Heights SPCA on Sept. 6. (Photo: Colonial Heights Animal Control) -
Dogs found abandoned outside of the Colonial Heights SPCA on Sept. 6. (Photo: Colonial Heights Animal Control) -
Dogs found abandoned outside of the Colonial Heights SPCA on Sept. 6. (Photo: Colonial Heights Animal Control) -
Dogs found abandoned outside of the Colonial Heights SPCA on Sept. 6. (Photo: Colonial Heights Animal Control) -
Dogs found abandoned outside of the Colonial Heights SPCA on Sept. 6. (Photo: Colonial Heights Animal Control) -
Dogs found abandoned outside of the Colonial Heights SPCA on Sept. 6. (Photo: Colonial Heights Animal Control)
An investigation has been launched into this incident, with animal control officials pulling camera footage to learn more about what happened.
It’s believed that these dogs were abandoned around 8 a.m. on Saturday, if not earlier.
If you have any information on these dogs or how they ended up at the Colonial Heights SPCA in this condition, you are asked to contact Colonial Heights Animal Control by calling 804-520-9397 and dialing extension 5. You can also call the Colonial Heights Police Department’s non-emergency number at 804-520-9300.
