TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV) — This past week, the Terre Haute Humane Society had two separate incidents where someone abandoned a dog after operating hours.
This has been an ongoing issue for the Humane Society, and Executive Director Heidi Mitchell wanted to remind the public that it is illegal to abandon animals in Indiana. This includes leaving the animal outside of a shelter after operating hours or abandoning the animal anywhere. Animal abandonment is considered animal cruelty, which is a Class A misdemeanor.
Both dogs that were dumped are safe and being cared for. One of the dogs is named Michelle, and she will be available for adoption in the upcoming days.
Mitchell said when people leave animals without notifying shelter staff, it’s hard to make room for them.
“They end up in a small kennel in our garage. Right now, that’s where a couple right now are because we had to make space. It breaks all of our hearts to see these animals dumped because they didn’t ask to be dumped. They don’t understand. They may have gone from what they thought was a loving home and now are being dumped.”
Mitchell encourages the public to utilize their spay and neuter clinic to help with the overall population of animals.
