TACOMA, Wash. — Two dogs left in freezing temperatures in Tacoma last week are now recovering. Both are alive because of a good Samaritan and the quick actions of veterinarians at the Humane Society of Tacoma and Pierce County.
Two dogs were found severely emaciated in Wright Park on Oct. 27 by a community member and they were taken to the Humane Society of Tacoma and Pierce County. The good Samaritan brought them in just in time because both dogs were in critical condition.
The 2-year-old pit bulls, Muffin and Marnie, were found on the brink of death. Muffin suffered from hypothermia and had trouble even walking. The veterinarian team rushed to give life-saving care.
“That team went into immediate care, giving them fluids, trying to get them to eat, as well as trying to get muffin warmed up. Muffin was very cold and hypothermic and wasn't able to move. We were making sure we had a lot of heated blankets on Muffin as soon as possible, trying to get his temperature up was really key,” Lindsey Heaney, director of communications for the Humane Society for Tacoma and Pierce County.
Over the past several days, Muffin’s recovery has been touch and go. He’s been having a hard time eating.
“He's having a hard time keeping food down. They're still running tests and making sure that he's getting the care that he needs to make it through this,” Heaney said.
There is good news, while Marnie remains extremely thin, she is on the mend.
“We're really happy to say that Marnie is doing well, but we're cautiously optimistic and trying to get her to gain some weight and build up her hydration as well,” Heaney said.
Last week, western Washington saw the first freezing temperatures of the season. It got down to 26 degrees the night the two dogs were found.
“As the colder weather comes in, we want to make sure we're trying to minimize as many urgent need cases coming in due to that cold weather. The best bet is really to bring them in to make sure they have a warm place to be and a safe place to be as well,” Heaney said.
While it’s unknown how the dogs got to the park, if someone left them there they could be charged with first-degree animal cruelty. The statute said that a charge can come if someone starves, dehydrates, or exposes animals to excessive heat or cold among other things.
“As an open admission shelter, and with animal control contracts, we do see cases of abuse and neglect, things like that come in frequently,” Heaney said.
Once they recover, Marnie and Muffin will be up for adoption.
“That's the goal is that if all goes well, they're happy and healthy. We want to make sure that we're finding them loving homes,” Heaney said.
The Humane Society of Tacoma and Pierce County cares for 10,000 animals a year.
The Humane Society has a pet support team that can help with additional resources for pet owners whether it's help with food or a safe place for them especially as colder months are on the way.
The Humane Society can use donations to help Muffin and Marnie and other dogs in need of critical care.