BRANCHBURG – Police are tracking down who was responsible for abandoning more than 20 small dogs in three Somerset County communities over the weekend.
Eleven dogs, which appeared to be a Shih Tzu Mix, were corralled in Branchburg on Saturday by the Somerset Regional Animal Shelter. The other Shih Tzu or Maltese dogs were also found abandoned in Bound Brook and Franklin.
According to a Facebook post by the Somerset Regional Animal Shelter in Bridgewater, all 11 dogs found in Branchburg “will need substantial vet care (spay/neuter, deworming, vaccines, dentals and more), grooming and behavioral assessments. The dogs are not available for adoption.
“While we cannot change the dogs’ heartbreaking past or how they ended up in Branchburg, please join us in focusing on preparing these precious souls for a much better future,” the shelter wrote in a Facebook post.
With vet costs expected to run into the thousands, the shelter said monetary donations are needed because the funds provide flexibility to respond to the dogs’ needs.
Donations can be made through the shelter’s website or through the Friends of the Somerset Regional Animal website.
Shortly after midnight Saturday, Branchburg officers were dispatched by Somerset County Communications to the area of Renda Drive off Pleasant Run Road on a report of a stray dog. Officers located the dog and requested assistance from the Somerset Regional Animal Shelter which captured the animal, Police Chief Richard Buck said.
Six hours later and about five miles away, police officers were dispatched by Somerset County Communications to White Oak Park on Baird Road on a report of stray dogs in the area of the park and Branchburg Central School across the road.
On their arrival, officers saw there were several dogs in the area and requested assistance from the Somerset Regional Animal Shelter. Eight dogs were captured.
At about 5:05 p.m. police were dispatched to a stray dog report on Thoroughbred Drive about a half mile north of the school. Police found the dog and again the Somerset Regional Animal Shelter responded and captured the canine
Later, at about 11:06 p.m., police were dispatched to another stray dog report in the area of Millenium Way about a mile southeast of White Oak Park and discovered the canine. And again, the Somerset Regional Animal Shelter responded and captured the dog.
Chief Buck thanked Somerset Regional Animal Shelter for its assistance.
The Branchburg Police Department and the Somerset Regional Animal Shelter are continuing their investigation into who abandoned the dogs.
Anyone with information about the incidents is asked to contact the police department at 908-526-3830, via the STOPit app or through the Somerset County Crime Stoppers’ Tip Line at 1-888-577-TIPS (8477). All anonymous STOPit reports and Crime Stopper tips will be kept confidential.
Email: mdeak@MyCentralJersey.com
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