Police officers save lives of five starving puppies

Jace Radke

Wednesday, Aug. 2, 2000 | 10:54 a.m.

By opening a closet door in a vacant apartment Friday afternoon, Metro Police saved five lives.

Inside the closet officers found five starving puppies believed to have been shut inside with no food or water and left to die by their owner, Animal Foundation of Nevada President Mary Herro said.

The officers took the bone-thin and severely weakened animals to the foundation building, 700 N. Mojave Road, where they are being nursed back to health by the non-profit group's staff and Dr. Scott Ruth.

"They were in extremely bad shape when they were brought in," Ruth said. "To get to where they were would have taken more than a few days of being locked up in a closet without food and water. They could have been in there for close to a week.

"They've gained some strength and energy since they've been here, but they have a ways to go."

The shepherd mixed breed puppies are about 14 weeks old, and should weigh about 18 pounds, but instead are only about 10 pounds apiece, Ruth said.

Herro says she wishes she knew who the officers were that dropped off the brown and black mottled puppies so she could thank them.

"The staff just told me the police came in and dropped them off, but no one managed to get their names," Herro said. "I'd like to know because they are really heroes."

Finding the officers could be difficult because they wouldn't have written a report on the incident, said Lt. Marc Joseph, a department spokesman.

Normally when officers find vicious dogs, animal control is called, but if the shelter is nearby, Joseph said the officers could easily just put the puppies in the patrol car and take them to the animal shelter.

Herro has heard about pets being left to die before, but says these dogs were as emaciated as any animals she has seen.

"You can see their bones, and there isn't an inch of fat on them," Herro said. "It's sad, and an example of what a throw away society we've become."

Three of the puppies are male and one is female, and the foundation is hoping they can be adopted soon, so that they can gain weight before being spayed or neutered.

"It would probably take about three or four weeks for these guys to gain enough weight to be considered safe for surgery," Herro said.

"We can't really keep them here that long, so hopefully people will adopt them, and then they can be brought back to be spayed or neutered when their health improves."

Anyone interested in adopting one of the puppies can call 384-3333.