Foreclosures leave pets out in the cold, overloading shelters

Dogs have been shot and dumped at the pound.

By D.A. WILKINSON

VINDICATOR SALEM BUREAU

LISBON — Humane workers call them “foreclosure pets.”

They are the animals who are abused, neglected or abandoned as people lose their homes.

While the financial losses are sad, the physical abuse of the animals is sickening.

Here are recent cases:

UEmma was abandoned in a home near West Point. Brenda Austin, one of the two part-time humane agents for the Humane Society of Columbiana County, found the dog had been eating dry wall, plastic and trash to survive.

U Shepp was wounded with bird shot. One pellet remains lodged in her eye.

U A small female beagle was finally trapped after three weeks of running around with her right front leg stuck in her collar.

U A dog was dumped at the county Dog Warden’s Office in the middle of the night. County Dog Warden Dawn McVay said she captured the scared dog by throwing her jacket over it.

The animals that needed treatment have received it and are doing well.

But the problem is likely to get worse.

The county sheriff’s office, which handles foreclosure sales, said it had 404 cases in 2006. In 2007, there were 754 cases filed.

Kenneth Biacco, a county deputy sheriff, who processes foreclosures, said only 613 of the 2007 cases were processed that year. The rest are being processed before the sheriff’s office processes the 70 foreclosures filed so far in 2008.

Jenny Pike, humane society president, said landlords are now asking the society to clean up the mess when the animals are left behind.

Austin said many of the abandoned pets were already neglected. They had fleas and internal parasites and lacked adequate food, water and shelter.

She added that many of these pets have never had veterinary care, vaccinations, haven’t been spayed or neutered, and generally aren’t licensed.

But Austin said that in Mahoning County, many landlords require tenants to provide dog licenses and medical information in order to get a lease.

McVay said that people should not leave a pet behind when they move. Having a pet, she said, “is a lifelong commitment.”

Austin said that in January, the humane society handled 15 animal abandonment calls, more than 30 humane complaints, and more than 80 calls each about dogs and cats.

In 2004, 759 dogs were euthanized at the county pound and 461 were adopted. In 2007, just 77 dogs were put to sleep, while 1,066 were adopted.

McVay credits the improvement to a network of people who will provide foster care for dogs. A network of people from outside Columbiana County and Ohio helps find homes for local animals.

But prosecution by the part-time humane agents is slow. The society filed 10 animal cruelty charges in 2006 and nine in 2007.

To reduce the problem, the society suggested last year that the commissioners increase dog license fees to help spay and neuter animals.

Commissioner Penny Traina toured the county pound and said she is studying the issue. Commissioner Jim Hoppel indicated he did not favor the issue. Commissioner Dan Bing could not be reached.

wilkinson@vindy.com

X People with information about abuse can call the humane society at (330) 332-2600.