Recent dog dumping in Cape Girardeau overwhelms a Heartland animal shelter

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. (KFVS) – Dogs can be a man’s best friend. But it doesn’t always go both ways.

Two Cape Girardeau animal facilities have been met with some unpleasant surprises that they were not prepared for.

Two dogs, both in poor condition were dumped at Dana’s Pet Salon and Southeast Missouri Pets recently. Workers say that treating animals like this is irresponsible and could be illegal.

“The last two dogs that were dumped on us, very emancipated,” said Jenn Farmer.

On August 2nd, someone dumped a dog, now named Franklin, at their facility overnight, and weeks later they took in yet another dumped dog, named Bambi.

Jenn Farmer is the Executive Director for SEMO Pets. Farmer said the last two weeks have been overwhelming.

“We are at capacity, we are above and beyond capacity. We don’t have room for dogs, let alone severe medical cases that we are getting,” Farmer said.

Sunday afternoon, someone left Bambi near Dana’s Pet Salon and then drove off.

Emilee Middendorf works as the daycare manager and she could not believe someone would leave a dog in such a poor condition.

“Obviously, it was really heartbreaking for us, especially to see him like that,” Middendorf said.

She’s glad they noticed the dog before its condition worsened.

“We found him kind of in the back on the side of the building over here. He was hiding under his stairwell. Just very obviously scared. Looked like a baby deer because he was so skinny and hunched over,” Middendorf said.

Middendorf thanks the support from SEMO Pets for taking dogs in that need care.

“They have so many other things going on, just really shows the compassion that they have and for their community,” Middendorf said.

Middendorf and Farmer said while these dogs are getting proper care, both hope it does not happen again.

“It’s wrong like you wouldn’t do that to a child. You wouldn’t dump them in the middle of nowhere. You shouldn’t do it to any animal,” Middendorf said.

“It is illegal to dump dogs, whether it’s here or not. We’d rather you call talk to us and see what we can do. See, when we can fit you in,” Farmer said.

Farmer told us Franklin is now walking on his own and has gained five to six pounds within the last week. Also, Bambi is doing well with her medical baths as she puts on some weight as well.

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