Locals step in to help dumped puppies
FOUR of five puppies found abandoned in the Mystic Park Forest were this week handed over to the Australian Animal Protection Society for rehoming.
Nigel and Trudie Murch, owners of Swan Hill Pet Boarding, said they had only been able to adopt out one of the 10-week-old pups since taking them in last week.
“We needed to act fast to ensure they have the best possible outcome while they are still young so we’ve moved them to the AAPS in Keysborough,” Mr Murch said.
“They’re a no-kill shelter and have the services of dog trainers from the [National Dog Trainers Federation] so the puppies should be rehomed without much problem.”
Mr Murch said they had given the animal shelter the money donated by the community to help cover the costs of de-sexing, vaccinations and microchipping.
As of yesterday more than $800 had been donated towards the estimated $1700 bill — but donations were still welcome to help Mr and Mrs Murch make up the shortfall.
The puppies, believed to be a cross between a mastiff and a beagle, were found wandering in the forest by Mystic Park resident Bob Flett on Sunday, September 7.
Knowing Mr and Mrs Murch did some animal rescue work, Mr Flett contacted the couple and dropped off the flea-ridden and underweight pups the next day.
Mr Murch said despite the breed’s image, mastiffs made lovely family pets with the right owner and training.
“It’s a real shame we haven’t been able to rehome them all ourselves but, at the end of the day, there will probably be a wider breadth of people who will get to see the puppies now,” he said.
“Rather than a rural outlook for them, it will be more suburban, which will reduce the probability of them being used as hunting dogs.”
The RSPCA is urging anyone with any information about the dumping of the puppies to contact the inspectorate office on (03) 9224 2222.
