Rescued animals receiving vet care

FAIRHOP{E, Ala. (WALA) - Solomon is a mixed bread pup with a lot of heart, but not much else.  He’s literally a bag of bones under his aging coat.  When Fairhope veterinarian Stephanie Powe first saw Solomon the night he was rescued, she didn’t think he would make it.

“He’s basically just an outline of a dog right now. But when we first found him, he was so down that we didn’t even know that there was even a dog in that run,” Powe said  “He couldn’t raise his head. He couldn’t move. He was basically lifeless.”

Over 100 other dogs and cats are being looked after at clinics throughout the area after nearly 200 dogs and cats were found either dead or malnourished at Purple Hearted Animal Shelter in Summerdale. 

Animal cruelty charges continue to mount against Roberta Dueitt and her daughter Sharon Dueitt after the animals were discovered at Purple Hearted Puppies Animal Shelter in Summerdale.  Both now face felony animal cruelty charges.

Taking care of so many rescued animals is a daunting task for area vets.

"This is a marathon, not a sprint,” Powe said.  “We’re going to have these animals for a long period of time.  Most of these animals will not be in a condition to be adopted out for at least a month, maybe more.”

The folks at Rankin Animal Clinic in Fairhope are doing what they can to help.  Right now they are taking care of four cats and two dogs.  Dr. Ann Rankin said she’s never seen a case quite like this.

“This is just a mass casualty event, and it’s just heart breaking.  The animals don’t deserve this, and there’s nothing you can do short of reaching out and trying to help.”

Unfortunately for animals like these, this kind of problem in Alabama is more and more prevalent.  Rankin said the only way that will change is if the laws are changed.

“It’s a huge issue unfortunately, and we need to speak up about it.  There are daily events in this realm that are challenges for us in the veterinary field, but also in the rescue field; that if the laws actually had teeth, that if we had decent laws and they were enforced, we wouldn’t be running against it.”

Four new bills are being introduced at the next Alabama legislative session on February 7.  All are designed to strengthen animal cruelty laws with stiffer penalties.

The Baldwin County Humane Society will be taking legal custody of all the animals.  They are in need of contributions to help pay for the mounting medical bills.