Hunting Dogs Find A Friend In Virginia

My husband and I live in rural Virginia and recently returned from a trip to find yet another hunting dog on the property; emaciated, obviously mistreated and covered in fleas and filth. She was almost dead from malnutrition and obvious abuse. She was about twelve weeks old.

We were able to gain her trust and feed her. We washed her, treated her wounds, provided a blanket, kennel and water as well as administered a de-wormer and a topical flea/tick treatment.

I made some calls and thankfully, we were able to find her a good home. She is now named “Mia”. Unfortunately, this is not uncommon.

The first time a stray hunting dog crossed our paths, she was a sweet adult; but again incredibly emaciated, filthy and covered with cuts and parasites. This time there was a collar with simply a phone number present.

Apparently, my first mistake was in believing that no one would be capable of mistreating this animal intentionally. At first, I truly believed that her condition was a result of being lost and trying to survive on her own. I was wrong.

After I cleaned her up, fed and cared for the female adult, we called the number on the dingy collar. She turned out to belong to a hunter a couple miles away. He has about thirty hunting dogs chained behind his home. When he came to pick up the adult, she immediately cowered and refused to come out of the kennel.

While he was struggling to get her out, I informed him that we bathed her, gave her a flea treatment and food since she was so gaunt. He immediately informed me that…THIS was one of his hunting dogs…and that they are supposed to be kept hungry for a hunt… and stormed out…with not so much as a “thanks.”

As you might imagine, I was incredibly appalled and heart-sick. I knew at that moment, that if I ever ran across another hunting dog, I would never contact him again. I would simply care for the dog until we could find a better home. It is both unbelievable and unfortunate that these animals are bred, beaten, shocked, shot with BBs, starved and chained to assist a lazy “hunter”.

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Please, when you find a “stray” or a “stray” finds you, be kind, patient and gentle. It only takes a few minutes to locate a caring rescue facility in your area. There is nothing more rewarding than doing the right thing.
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Kim Rhys contacted C.A.S.H. with this appeal. We’re happy to publish it so others may begin to recognize hunting dogs and realize that they need help.