Heartbreak on Highway 34: The tragic fate of last week's pet of the week

June 3 to 8

Last week's pet of the week was killed on Highway 34 just before the paper was published. It’s happened several times in the years since I started in rescue. Often, there is no place for the stray to go.

Imagine that we had the room and took in every dog the public called about. I, for one, would have probably had another 2,000 to 3,000 dogs here to feed. I am thankful I didn’t have the buildings to house them. As it was, there was never enough money to donate from our area to cover the expenses of the dogs we took in.

We feel bad when we hear about dogs along the highway, and almost always suggest to the callers that it is a good idea to rescue strays on the road if they are willing and able to do so. But the callers cannot count on us having the room to take the dogs while searching for owners or rescues with space.

I've been threatened several times and called words I can’t write in print. I once slapped a man, who was about twice my size, for spitting in my face and calling me so many names I had had enough! He had a deputy sheriff come out here after filling a complaint against me.

How much should a person have to take when you get paid nothing for a job so demanding? I’ve called the sheriff’s office on several occasions, too, asking for protection from some nuts.

Now, in this economy, dumping is worse, so spaying your females is so important.

I was told that owner did come forward, sort of. She contacted a gal who regularly posted the male stray. She said her ex found a home for the dog in Marble Hill. She had to move, as is common after a divorce, and her dog could not come with her. She could not afford a place with the dog.

How about she calling for help? I would not have taken the dog, but with time to do so, we could have looked for a rescue to take a smaller dog. And since smaller dogs are more in demand, both she and the dog might have gotten the help they needed.

Dogs held for other rescues:

• Two Aussie/Great Pyrenees-type mixed pups, abandoned in Bollinger County, are now about 7 months old.

Returned to owner, placed in other rescues, foster or adopted:

• None.

Dogs with erlichia, special needs or euthanized:

• Last week's pet of the week was killed on Highway 34 by Highway B.

Lost, found, and pets needing homes:

• Five or six adult cats from Advance need homes.
• Three unclaimed puppies need homes.
• Several dogs that are found or missing are listed on our Facebook page and also the two Bollinger County “What’s Happening” pages. If you don’t have FB, call us so we can try to match lost pets.

Miscellaneous and contact information:

We were caring for 18 dogs and pups at our home June 8. If you have a stray camping out in the yard, don’t wait. Call us at (573) 722-3035 or (573) 321-0050.

MARILYN NEVILLE is director of Bollinger County Stray Project.