One of four loose Rottweilers was struck, killed by vehicle
Animal control authorities are guessing four purebred Rottweilers that were loose in the southern part of Brant County may have come from a breeding farm.
“They’re very scared and under-socialized,” said animal control officer Cassia Bryden, of Hillside Kennels, which has two of the female animals.
“More than likely they were emotionally neglected or abused. They’re shying away from touch and hard to get a leash on.”
Hillside, which contracts with Brant County to deal with animal control, got a call Sunday night from the Brant County OPP about a dead Rottweiler that had been hit by a car near Oakland. Hillside recovered that carcass and spent a few days fielding calls from people who spotted the dogs running together.
When one couple was finally able to contain the animals in a yard, Hillside picked them up.
Bryden said it’s possible the dogs escaped together from someone’s yard.
“We thank the public for helping to catch the dogs. We rely on that help when we cover such a large area.”
A fourth dog was picked up by Welland SPCA after running in that direction, so the animals may have started from somewhere in the south part of Brant.
“We’re seeing more and more cases of dogs being dumped since the pandemic,” said Bryden.
“There’s a vet shortage so people can’t get their animals in for emergencies or regular maintenance. Vets are often booking now for April or May to get animals spayed or neutered.”
And caring for dogs, along with vet fees are expensive. Some shelters even charge surrender fees to take dogs.
“We’ve been getting tons of calls for surrenders or to pick up dumped dogs tied to trees or on a farm,” Bryden said.
“It’s almost weekly. Seven or eight months ago, one was found in Paris – a big mastiff that had been tied to a tree and had been chewing its paw off and we had to have (the paw) amputated.”
Bryden said the shelter would never refuse to take a dog from an owner that can’t care for the animal.
“But we would love to know where they came from and their names, ages and backgrounds. For these two, they’re in our care now and will be vaccinated, heartworm-tested and spayed or neutered before being offered for adoption.”
Last July, Hillside, which is based in Innerkip, began a contract with the City of Brantford to pick up stray or injured dogs and cats on public property.
@EXPSGamble