NARRAGANSETT, R.I. (WLNE) — The Rhode Island Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and South Kingstown Animal Control have taken 9 Belgian Malinois dogs into custody after a dog attack in Narragansett on Wednesday.
Around 11 a.m., RISPCA received a call asking for assistance in Narragansett for a report of animals running loose in a Marshall’s parking lot.
Upon arrival, RISPCA President and General Agent Wayne Kazarian said 14 large dogs were “anxious and rambunctious” inside a white, family-sized SUV.
The owner told authorities they were willing to surrender some, but not all of the dogs, as well as that he was traveling from New York to Maine to sell them.
According to RISPCA, some dogs began to fight while the owner was driving the car, causing him to pull into the Marshall’s parking lot.
RISPCA began to discuss the best option for the animals, and planned to bring the SUV into an enclosed baseball field. The owner was then instructed to remove one dog at a time to look at them and control them. However, the moment the door opened, all the dogs bolted out of the vehicle, with one dog that began to get attacked.
Narragansett police responded to the field, and Kazarian said the officers’ response was “brave to the point of being dangerous.”
An officer used pepper spray to save the dog being attacked and separate it from the pack. Kazarian said that without the officer, the dog’s injuries would have been more serious.
The dog who was attacked was reported to have a few deep wounds and a spot on their body which was chewed away.
RISPCA said the owner of the dogs told authorities that he had not given the dogs full meals for a couple of days, and he was rationing food due to running out of money. Kazarian said he believes the dogs are underweight but appear to be relatively healthy otherwise.
Out of the 14 dogs, five were kept by the owner, six were taken by South Kingstown Animal Control, and three were kept by RISPCA.
All the dogs will be spayed, neutered, and undergo a medical exam.
RISPCA said the owner is not currently facing charges, but could in the future.
Anyone able to support in the expenses to care for the dogs can contact South Kingstown Animal Control at 401-783-3321 Ext. 5440 or RISPCA at 401-383-1900.
The RISPCA also hopes to hear from people willing to foster or adopt some of the dogs. Kazarian said the breed is typically not appropriate for home with small children.
This post was originally published on this site be sure to check out more of their content.
