Contact: Doll Stanley, doll@idausa.org, (662) 809-4483 
Images: http://bit.ly/AttalaPitBulls

Kosciusko, Mississippi, (August 3, 2017) - In Defense of Animals, the international animal protection organization that runs Mississippi’s Justice for Animals Campaign and Hope Animal Sanctuary, has seized four criminally neglected dogs kept on Attala Road 1221, just outside the city limits of Kosciusko, Miss. in Attala County. An investigation by In Defense of Animals’ Justice for Animal Campaign confirmed public cruelty complaints and enlisted support for the seizure of the dogs from the Attala County Sheriff’s Department. On Wednesday, August 2, 2017, three pit bulls and one beagle were surrendered to the custody of In Defense of Animals in lieu of prosecution.

The three pit bulls were left at the Attala Road property by a man who had been instructed to remove the dogs from the City of Kosciusko or surrender them. He left the dogs chained and in pens at his friend’s property outside the city limits. Another man had left his beagle with the same friend. Neighbors recognized that the property owner was unable to care for the dogs, and that their negligent guardians had failed to visit and to care for them. They began feeding and watering the dogs and called on the help In Defense of Animals’ Justice for Animals Campaign headquartered in Winona, Miss. which has a long history of addressing animal cruelty in the region.

The dogs suffered such neglect that had the neighbors to the property where they were kept not intervened they would likely have died. The three pit bulls each suffered skin disorders and scaling, most likely from a combination of malnutrition and a deplorable environment. The dogs’ nails appeared not to have been trimmed for months, if not years, and since the dogs had been forced to live in their waste their odor was nearly unbearable during transport.

“It was amazing to see how forgiving the dogs were of the neglect they’d received,” commented Justice for Animals Campaign Director Doll Stanley. “They were truly sweet dogs to us and one another. We humans could learn something from them.”.

In Defense of Animals and regional investigative organizations respond to numerous cases of cruelty and network to see that animals in need of rescue have safe haven for rehabilitation and placement. In this case, Amory Animal Shelter accepted the dogs. In Defense of Animals’ Hope Animal Sanctuary in Grenada is undergoing renovation and recently took in dogs from the same property these dogs were seized from.

“It is vital to the welfare of imperiled animals that our network of Mississippi humane shelters and organizations support one another’s efforts,” said Stanley. “When we join and share resources we see that Mississippi’s seized and surrendered animals are nurtured and placed with guardians who deserve their loyalty and genuine companionship. Dogs are family members and should never be forced to live on a chain or left to suffer in dire conditions. In Defense of Animals is pushing for stronger animal protection laws, including dog tethering restrictions. Please contact us if you would like to volunteer to help animals.”

Mississippi Horses recently joined In Defense of Animals in the seizure of four Tallahatchie County horses that are in the care of the horse rescue group and In Defense of Animals’ Hope Animal Sanctuary is aiding a regional shelter with dogs that would otherwise be euthanized.

For more information, please visit www.idausa.org

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In Defense of Animals’ Justice for Animals Campaign is working tirelessly to advance the cause for justice and show state legislators that the people of Mississippi are united against senseless and horrific animal abuse. Campaign members are aligning with Mississippi judges, prosecuting attorneys, law enforcement officials, legislators, animal advocates and concerned citizens to pass tougher state statutes and meaningful regional ordinances that will protect animals when state statutes fail.

In Defense of Animals is an international animal protection organization with over 250,000 supporters and a 30-year history of fighting for animals, people and the environment through education, campaigns and hands-on rescue facilities in India, Africa, and rural Mississippi.

IN DEFENSE OF ANIMALS • 3010 KERNER BLVD. • SAN RAFAEL, CA 94901 • 415-448-0048