17 dogs are now looking for forever homes after someone abandoned them in a field in Mercer County.
It’s a crime to abandon an animal in Ohio, but officials say that’s not stopping people from doing it more often in the Miami Valley.
Animal welfare officials like Julie Holmes-Taylor say for a number of reasons dog owners are increasingly running out of resources and patience to care for them properly.
>> ‘Heartbreaking;’ 17 golden retrievers found dumped in Mercer County field
“With the economy and the prices of having to take care of these animals, a lot of times people run out of those resources very quickly,” she said.
After someone dumped 17 golden retrievers in Mercer County this week, an animal welfare group working to help those dogs told News Center 7 this is becoming more common.
>> PHOTOS: 17 golden retrievers found dumped in Mercer County field
“We’re seeing a lot more of dumped dogs, breeders turning in puppies, asking for help. They can’t sell the puppies anymore,” said Katie Moore with the Animal Protection League of Mercer County.
News Center 7′s John Bedell called animal control agencies in six local counties.
All but Logan County, which said it’s staying flat, said that in the last six to 12 months, they’re seeing an increase in the number of dogs in their counties being abandoned.
Preble and Shelby County’s dog wardens used words like “very bad” and “substantial” to describe the trend.
Shelby County’s dog warden even said they’ve seen more than 100 more dogs abandoned in 2023 compared to the same time last year.
“It’s not just our area. This is a national issue,” Holmes-Taylor said.
Officials say if you’re thinking of re-homing your dog, you should reach out to your local animal shelter for resources on how to do it properly.
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