(Note from Erin: I cannot understand the person who flees during tragedy and leaves a family member behind, even a furry family member. In all the storms I’ve been through I’ve never once left a pet behind and only lost one because of a tornado that came with no warning. I hope these people are found and prosecuted.)
I can barely report on this news I am so disgusted. But, even though I can’t imagine people could do this to an animal, it’s true. Just north of Miami, in Palm Beach County, animal rescue officials found more than 50 animals tethered to trees and abandoned. That’s right, people left them alone, many OUTSIDE IN A HURRICANE, to face it utterly alone.
Thankfully, because the animals were reported, they were all rescued before the hurricane made landfall.
Director of Animal Care Diane Sauve said the animals were, “They are left in a yard, in a pen they cannot escape from or tethered to trees or poles.”1 She followed up by saying, “It’s unconscionable. We will not stand for it here in Palm Beach County.” 2
And the State Attorney General, Dave Aronberg, promised that ANYONE who left their animals outside would face criminal charges saying, “We will find you, and we will prosecute you.” 3
We truly hope that there were no more abandoned animals during Irma but if there were, we hope they are ok.
