MARION COUNTY, Ky. (WHAS11) – Since last November, 132 dogs have been abandoned in Marion County near the Marion-Taylor County line. Many of the dogs were found underfed and several were found dead.
“It can’t be a coincidence,” said Sarah Gribbins with the Marion County Animal Shelter. “These dogs have to be coming from somewhere, this many dogs and in the same area. If it were all over the county then it wouldn’t be a coincidence. But, these dogs are coming from somewhere.”
Gribbins says the 132 dogs found is nearly double the amount they normally pick up in Marion and Washington Counties in a three month period.
“In that period we would probably have 60,” said Gibbins.
Marion County officials say they are seeing more and more groups of dogs abandoned within a two mile radius near Highway 55 near the county line.
On Tuesday, 24 dogs were discovered on a farm along Highway 55. Whoever abandoned the dogs left them with only a bowl that contained old rain water.
“I think they need to hurry up and find those people and do something about it,” said Justin Hymen, who is a dog-lover. “I have three dogs myself and I love them like they’re part of the family.
Marion County officials say they have very few leads.
“Our main goal is to get community awareness out there,” said Gibbins. “We need people to come forward.”
With the amount of dogs in the shelter, officials hope they will not have to euthanize any of them. But, they say euthanasia might be a grave reality if more dogs are found and not adopted.
There is a $1,000 reward being offered to anyone who helps with the prosecution of the person or people responsible for abandoning of the dogs. The number to the Marion County Animal Shelter is 270-692-0464.
