The Summit Animal Shelter reacts to a slew of abandoned dogs, including a puppy that died later.

After a succession of animals were found abandoned over the last week, Summit County officials are encouraging residents to either appropriately care for their pets or find someone who would. According to a news release from the Summit County Sheriff's Office, investigators have recovered seven pets that were discarded by their owners in the last seven days. All of the animals were found in boxes near garbage, hungry and thirsty, and a pair of puppies were extremely unwell.

“There’s no reason to dump your pet,” said Lesley Hall, director of the Summit County Animal Shelter. “We’ve got an animal shelter here in Frisco. We’ll take what you have or get you to some place that can take your pet. … If for whatever reason you can’t keep your pet, whether it’s sick or you can’t afford it, we’re here to help with that.”

Five guinea pigs and two pups were among the abandoned pets, according to Hall. The guinea pigs were transported to Petco in Dillon, which accepts and re-homes most small pets. Both dogs have parvovirus, which is carried mostly by contaminated feces or contact with other dogs and can cause severe diarrhea, vomiting, and fast dehydration, among other symptoms, according to Hall.

The puppies were discovered beside a dumpster in the Silverthorne Chipotle parking lot. They were brought to a Front Range 24-hour emergency veterinary facility for treatment, but one of the dogs had to be put to sleep the next morning, according to Hall. Copper, the second dog, is doing fine and has been returned to the Frisco shelter.

Details: https://www.summitdaily.com/news/crime/summit-animal-shelter-responds-to-string-of-abandoned-pets-including-a-puppy-that-later-died/