A young female German shepard-collie mix picked up by Town of Lee dog control officer Ann Marie Dolan on Palmer Road demonstrates the hardships animals face when they are lost or abandoned.
The dog was covered in mange and had hematomas in both ears, Dolan said, requiring immediate veterinary care. The dog was treated at the Delta Lake Veterinary Hospital, 8723 Turin Road, prior to being transported to the Humane Society of Rome, 6247 Lamphear Road, where she currently resides. This dog is the second stray found by Lee animal control in the past few weeks. A pit bull was collected on July 4. Last year the Town of Lee dog control found a total of 11 stray dogs.
Lee dog control officers find stray dogs through tips from community members. Healthy strays are transported to the Humane Society of Rome, which cares for hundreds of dogs and cats every day. If the animal is hurt or ill, it is sent to the Delta Lake Veterinary Hospital where it is treated prior to being sent to the Humane Society.
The Town of Lee pays the Humane Society $185 per dog sent there. The Town is also responsible for paying the Delta Lake Veterinary Hospital for any treatment given to the animal.
The German shepard-collie mix was given medication for mange and Frontline for fleas along with skin tests and heartworm tests, totaling $210. Stray dogs are commonly afflicted with fleas, mange, heartworm, parvo, and other parasitic diseases.
Dolan believes that those who abandon their animals usually want to keep them, but simply cannot afford to take care of them. Common bills for pet owners include full medical exams, a dose of Frontline every month, vaccinations, and spaying. The cost for spaying a dog can be over $400 alone. However, she also noted that the cost of abandoning an animal is a misdemeanor charge. Tips for pet owners struggling to afford their animals are available at www.humanesociety.org.
To report a stray animal, call your area dog control officer or your local police; the Humane Society of Rome cannot go out into the community to pick up stray animals.
