ANIMALS
More: Six Dogs Rescued from Truck with More Than 40 Deceased Animals Taken in by Rampo-Bergan Animal Refuge – Michael, Sherwin and William Show Signs of Healing
More than 40 animals were rescued and another 40 or more were found deceased, all left inside a pickup truck in New Jersey, authorities said.
The animals were discovered Monday in “horrific conditions inside a battered pick-up truck” parked outside a strip mall in Hampton Township, according to Ramapo-Bergen Animal Refuge. The shelter assisted in the rescue along with several other animal welfare organizations.
Rescuers say they found 38 dogs and eight cats alive, along with more than 40 deceased animals “individually wrapped” inside the truck.
“The dogs and cats inside the truck were terrified, huddled in all corners,” Ramapo-Bergen Animal Refuge wrote alongside photos on Facebook. “Everything in the vehicle was soaked in urine, feces and animal remains.”
The owner of the truck was identified as 53-year-old Lynn Leonard of Virginia. She was arrested at the scene by New Jersey State Police and charged with animal cruelty. According to rescuers, Leonard was allegedly transporting the animals to Pennsylvania after a house fire in Virginia.
Ramapo-Bergen Animal Refuge, with the help of Second Chance Adoption League, was able to take in six of the rescued dogs: Marshall, Panera, Applebee, Michael, Sherwin and William. The six dogs were treated by Dr. Sarah Marpet of Country Willow Animal Hospital.
“It is clear that their trauma and neglect spanned far beyond the week they spent jammed in a pick-up truck,” Ramapo-Bergen Animal Refuge said. “They were covered with fleas, matts, urine, feces and the stench of dead animals. Their nails were so long they curled back and grew into their paw pads,” the shelter said.
“The dogs are all more comfortable with other dogs than humans right now,” the shelter said. “They will require time and patience to adjust to the life they so deserve.”
In an update Thursday, the shelter shared a video of Michael, Sherwin and William slowly learning to trust their caretakers.
“Michael hides behind his brothers for protection, as William is beginning to seek out attention and Sherwin finding his first bit of comfort in a friendly scratch,” the shelter said.
“After being through unimaginable trauma and neglect, these deserving pups are learning that the world outside their tragic lives isnt quite so scary,” the shelter said.
