28-03-2025
Pregnant dog was ‘left to suffer in silence' —so shelter went to war with her owners
A dog was living a life of pain and repeated breeding when a shelter in Philadelphia stepped in and not only saved her life — but the life of her future puppies.
'Last September, Dabby was found running scared and confused through the streets of Northumberland County,' the Pennsylvania Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) said in March 28 Facebook post.
'Alone and in pain, she was rushed to a local rescue, where the heartbreaking truth of her condition became clear: a traumatic eye injury had left her eye damaged, and it was obvious she was in pain.'
Unfortunately, that wasn't the extent of Dabby's suffering.
'When her owners came forward to claim her, we learned something even more gut-wrenching: Dabby had been repeatedly bred, and she was pregnant again, carrying yet another litter of puppies. There was no proof that her injured eye had ever received proper care. She had been left to suffer in silence,' the shelter said.
The shelter along with its Animal Law Enforcement team weren't about to let those responsible for Dabby's 'care' get away with the abuse.
'Our Animal Law Enforcement team immediately stepped in, executing a search warrant at the home where Dabby was being kept. We rescued her and the tiny lives she was carrying. But the battle wasn't over,' the shelter said. 'Dabby's owners refused to surrender her, she would remain in our care as we fought for justice.'
During the battle, Dabby was able to deliver her babies under the watchful eye of the shelter.
'During this time, Dabby gave birth to six puppies in one of our offices, where a whelping box was set up and she was closely monitored on a nanny cam,' the shelter said.
'Despite everything she had been through, she was an incredible mother. Her puppies would never have to know the same suffering she endured. A shelter was no place for Dabby and her babies. Thankfully, a kind-hearted foster stepped up, offering them the loving home they so desperately needed.'
As of last week, all of Dabby's puppies — who were named after pizza toppings and appear to be French bulldog and pug mix — have been adopted, the shelter told McClatchy News. Dabby is the last of the rescued pups.
'Just one week ago, after a long fight, Dabby and her puppies were officially awarded to us through a cost-of-care petition. But while the legal battle is ongoing, Dabby's journey is far from over,' the shelter said.
'Due to her eye and repeated breeding, Dabby requires specialized surgery, one that comes with significant risk, and will need around-the-clock care to ensure her safety and recovery.'
According to the shelter, this is the last hurdle Dabby has to go through before she's able to go up for adoption.
For future updates on Dabby, visit the shelter's Facebook page or website.
