Emaciated dogs and 18 puppies rescued: BC SPCA

The BC SPCA has rescued two neglected adult dogs and their 18 puppies from a home in Chase.

On Wednesday, the SPCA said the owner had left two emaciated female American bulldog-Labrador retriever mix dogs and 18 puppies “outside to fend for themselves with no visible food or water.”

The 18 puppies were found “huddled together in a completely inadequate, makeshift doghouse surrounded by hazards including sharp chicken wire,” said Eileen Drever, senior officer of protection and stakeholder relations for the BC SPCA.

Drever added that each mother had a litter of nine puppies but they were so malnourished that they did not have enough milk to feed them all.

The two moms had very low body scores of two out of nine, and the dogs’ ribs, hips, and spines were clearly visible. The puppies also had a low body score of four out of nine, the BC SPCA explained.

The puppies were also “suffering from diarrhea and were lethargic,” said Drever. “In a rare case for puppies this young, one had a urinary tract infection that is being treated with antibiotics.”

The SPCA brought the moms and puppies to a veterinary clinic for examination and treatment.

“The moms have been put on a very specific refeeding plan … they were so underweight we needed veterinary approval just to give them water,” said Drever.

She added that the dogs were completely bonded to each other and extremely friendly. “When the animal protection officer came onto the property, they ran up to him wagging their tails.”

The two mothers are currently available for adoption but will need to find a forever home that will take both of them. The puppies will be available for adoption in approximately one week.