My husband and I live in rural Virginia and recently returned from a
trip to find yet another hunting dog on the property; emaciated,
obviously mistreated and covered in fleas and filth. She was almost dead
from malnutrition and obvious abuse. She was about twelve weeks old.
We were able to gain her trust and feed her. We washed her, treated
her wounds, provided a blanket, kennel and water as well as administered
a de-wormer and a topical flea/tick treatment.
I made some calls and thankfully, we were able to find her a good
home. She is now named “Mia”. Unfortunately, this is not uncommon.
The first time a stray hunting dog crossed our paths, she was a sweet
adult; but again incredibly emaciated, filthy and covered with cuts and
parasites. This time there was a collar with simply a phone number
present.
Apparently, my first mistake was in believing that no one would be
capable of mistreating this animal intentionally. At first, I truly
believed that her condition was a result of being lost and trying to
survive on her own. I was wrong.
After I cleaned her up, fed and cared for the female adult, we called
the number on the dingy collar. She turned out to belong to a hunter a
couple miles away. He has about thirty hunting dogs chained behind his
home. When he came to pick up the adult, she immediately cowered and
refused to come out of the kennel.
While he was struggling to get her out, I informed him that we bathed
her, gave her a flea treatment and food since she was so gaunt. He
immediately informed me that…THIS was one of his hunting dogs…and that
they are supposed to be kept hungry for a hunt… and stormed out…with not
so much as a “thanks.”
As you might imagine, I was incredibly appalled and heart-sick. I
knew at that moment, that if I ever ran across another hunting dog, I
would never contact him again. I would simply care for the dog until we
could find a better home. It is both unbelievable and unfortunate that
these animals are bred, beaten, shocked, shot with BBs, starved and
chained to assist a lazy “hunter”.
----------------------
Please, when you find a “stray” or a “stray” finds you, be kind, patient
and gentle. It only takes a few minutes to locate a caring rescue
facility in your area. There is nothing more rewarding than doing the
right thing.
----------------------
Kim Rhys contacted C.A.S.H. with this appeal. We’re happy to publish
it so others may begin to recognize hunting dogs and realize that they
need help.
