Almost every time I sit down to catch up on my Facebook account, there is a video story usually about a dog who has been abandoned, neglected or hit by a car and left to die.

I try not to watch these videos, but before I know it, I’ve watched the entire video of how the scared and hurt dog was rescued, rehabilitated and placed in a home where they have found love, probably for the first time in their short lives.

I want to adopt all of those dogs and give them a home filled with love and lots of dog treats. If you know me, my pets are my family.

Two weeks ago, I was watching a movie where a man was tired of the new puppy barking, so he put the puppy in a pillowcase and drove to the river, where he proceeded to throw the pillowcase with the puppy inside over a bridge into the raging waters. The puppy was rescued, but I was in tears.

Yes, it was just a movie, but I’m not naive. I know cruelty to animals happens a lot.

Imagine my horror when I opened Facebook May 8 and read a few individuals had dropped off six dogs at the Peaceable Kingdom animal shelter, 1049 MacArthur Road, Whitehall.

According to Peaceable Kingdom, “The condition of these dogs is heartbreaking. This is not something that happened overnight, and these poor babies suffered from neglect for a very long time. Our vet team is currently assessing their medical needs, and we will share more as this case progresses. While we can agree with everyone that we are glad they are safe with us, what we are not OK with is the suffering these animals have endured.”

Peaceable Kingdom appreciates the response from the community regarding the dogs.

“These dogs will need extensive veterinary care and cannot be offered for adoption until cleared medically,” Peaceable Kingdom Board Chairperson Kathy Tomecek told The Press May 10.

There are camera shots of the three individuals dropping off the dogs. Peaceable Kingdom is trying to get in touch with them.

Perhaps we should not assume these are the individuals who neglected these dogs. It is possible they rescued the dogs from a bad situation. They may be good Samaritans.

These individuals are being sought to provide information about the dogs.

Anyone who abuses animals will be held accountable for their actions or neglect.

Cruelty to animals is a misdemeanor offense punishable by up to two years in jail and/or a $5,000 fine. Neglect is a summary offense or a third-degree charge punishable by up to a year in jail. If the neglect or torture causes injury or puts the animal at risk, abusers are charged with a third-degree felony punishable by up to seven years in prison.

If you recognize any of these individuals, please contact either Peaceable Kingdom at 610-432-2532 or Barbara Morgan, Lehigh County Humane Society police officer, at 484-619-2074.

Donations toward the care of the dogs can be made through the link on the Peaceable Kingdom Facebook page. Tomecek said donations will be very much appreciated.

I will never understand how someone can neglect or abuse their animals. Once caught, I think the offenders should be treated the way they treated their animals.

What’s good for the goose is good for the gander.

Debbie Galbraith

editor

East Penn Press

Salisbury Press