ST. GABRIEL, La. (WAFB) – In a Facebook post, St. Gabriel police say two non-profit animal rescue groups contacted them about the conditions of dogs here at the St. Gabriel Animal Hospital.
The post said officers arrived to find dogs that appeared to be abandoned and malnourished, with more than 30 dogs rescued with many in “poor and deteriorating health.”
Some are facing malnourishment and problems with socialization.
”These guys have been relying on each other and have been very distrustful of humans,” said Alex Dondeville, one of the individuals involved in rescuing the animals after being given the go-ahead by authorities. “They haven’t had a constant figure to rely on.”
Dr. Gary Sod is the owner of the St. Gabriel Animal Hospital. We’ve been unable to contact him.
The animals under his care are now staying with Alex, Rebeckah, and Courtney.
They were there last night to help rescue the animals after receiving a complaint from someone working at the animal hospital. They say they are having a tough time getting over what they saw.
“You could literally feel the urine burning your eyes and burning your skin,” said Courtney Turner, with the Licking for Love animal rescue.
“When we walked in that building, there were bloody instruments in his surgery suite,” added Dondeville. “There were scheduled class drugs just out for anybody to see, take, have access to.”
Several dogs were found dead in the garbage bin. Others are in a freezer.
St. Gabriel chief of police Kevin Ambeau said this afternoon he had not yet spoken to Dr. Sod. Rutherford, one of three rescue representatives, says they came together with a clear goal after witnessing the scene. Get the dogs to safety.
“There was no arguing, there was no I get this dog, you get this dog,” said Rutherford. “It was, how can we support them, and how can we get these dogs safe.”
They’re now working to get the dogs the medical help they need and find homes for them.
”They are what matter,” emphasized Rutherford. “At the end of the day, these dogs are what matter.”
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