Despite grueling Texas heat, more people are dumping their pets, Humane Society says

The organization has seen at least five cases of dog abandonment within the last two weeks. Two of the dogs died of heat stroke, the nonprofit said in a Wednesday email. Others are in critical condition or in the process of a long recovery ahead.

“Just last night, a 3-month-old Yorkie was found in a sweltering kennel near our shelter despite being directed to our clinic a block away,” the email read. “Tragically, despite our efforts, the puppy couldn’t be saved. These incidents, worsened by record temperatures, underscore the urgency.”

Davidson said the organization will work with authorities to help find the people who are abandoning their pets so they can prosecute them.

The spike in the number of abandonments is also having a financial impact on the organization, with thousands of dollars being spent to save the animals’ lives.

Lives like that of Bear, a small dog that was “callously dumped out of a car.” Or of Arthur, a white Labrador, who had severe injuries that “were indicative of clear abuse,” Davidson said.

The abuse isn’t limited to dogs, and the acts seem “intentional,” she added.

Just before 5 a.m. Thursday, a woman was seen abandoning kittens at the nonprofit’s main Fort Worth facility. The animals are now getting medical attention for dehydration.

“This doesn’t appear to be someone in desperate need of help reaching out for our services,” Davidson said.