Beckley, W. Va. (WOAY)- Animal control responded quickly after receiving a call about two dogs tied up along the side of a road in Raleigh County. Sadly, one of the dogs did not survive.
According to Melody Davis, outreach coordinator for the Raleigh County Humane Society, a puppy no more than a month old froze to death after being left tied outside overnight.
“Unfortunately, animal control responded very fast as soon as they got the call,” Davis said. “But one of the dogs did not make it. It froze to death.”
Davis showed Newswatch photos from the scene, images so difficult that part of them could not be shown. The puppy had been tied outside in the cold, placed on top of a bag of dog food, and never moved from that spot. The adult dog was still tied nearby when authorities arrived.
“Sometime during the night, the puppy froze to death,” Davis said. “It never left the spot where it had been laid.”
Davis explained that situations like this are especially heartbreaking because animals depend entirely on humans for their safety.
“Animals rely on us to protect them, and they do not get a choice when someone fails them like this,” she said. “The consequences are devastating. We need stronger awareness and accountability to prevent this from happening again.”
Newswatch asked whether cases of animals being discarded or abandoned increase during the winter months.
“Unfortunately, yes, and it is becoming more common,” Davis said. “I understand people can come on hard times. I really do. But there are different ways to handle that. There are shelters, rescues, and resources to help people and their animals instead of leaving them tied up outside.”
Authorities continue to remind pet owners that exposure to extreme cold can be deadly, especially for young animals.
“Kindness is simple,” Davis said. “Love your animals. If you have a pet, bring them inside. Do not leave them tied up outside in the cold.”
