Woman cares for three small dogs left behind by owners
VANCOUVER, Wash. - A Vancouver, Wash. pet lover said her neighbors abandoned their three small dogs when they moved out last week.
Now, the local animal control agency is getting involved.
The woman who discovered the dogs, Jamie Seagraves, said she did talk to her neighbor on the phone and said he claims he simply forgot the dogs when he moved.
But even after that conversation, the owners haven't come back to get the animals. "They had nothing. Dirt in their dishes. It's sad," she said. "The first time I fed them, I put four cups of food in their dishes and it was gone in 30 seconds. I mean, it was horrid."
Seagraves is now the only one feeding the dogs, which she heard barking and discovered in the fenced yard next to hers on Monday.
She's been the only one taking care of them since then, giving them food, water, and a blanket for warmth.
“This is bad, and people do it every single day and there's got to be repercussions from it,” Seagraves said.
“It's a responsibility to have a pet, just like it is to have a child,” she added. “If you don't like the dogs, take them to the West Columbia Gorge Humane Society, call an adoption group or something. Don't let the dogs suffer.”
The West Columbia Gorge Humane Society operates a "no kill" animal shelter.
Local animal control workers left a 24-hour contact notice, requiring the owners to call them or face the possibility of losing the dogs and being cited or fined.
Animal control officers will likely return Friday to possibly collect the dogs.
Seagraves says she would have taken the dogs into her garage - if only she had one. She said she could not take them into her home because she has four pets already.
People leave pets behind all the time and then you see concerned folks posting on Craigslist trying to get someone ot come rescue them. I always am telling people to call the police on these animal-abandoners because it is against the law! I hope someone will adopt those pups. Shelters who charge fees for dropping off unwanted pets add to this problem.
Oh JPK Stuff it. Â This was a good story....I had two neighbors do this crap. Â One abandoned a lovely, affectionate cat - it was heart breaking to see him sitting on the porch wondering where his food was and his owners...another pulled out and left two dogs And her cat. Â Piece of S... Â This woman was doing a good deed caring for three dogs the owner "forgot" (I'd sell you a bridge if you buy that crap). Â And it is news Jack....not earth shattering, and two you two not worthy of reporting...but to people with pets who have rescued animals and to people with pets who would leave them, news worth reading. Â I have said it here before...if you don't like this story no one is forcing you two jerks to read it. Â Grow the hell up. Skip the headlines you don't want to read.
 @BCH mom So I don't get to have an opinion?
Well then you can just stuff it.
I feel I pointed out the most important point about this story and that is that K2 spends its time on this stuff but ignores a story like Benghazi that might have an effect on an election.
And I am a dog owner. I dont like to see animals mistreated either. But I also have my priorities and the MSM is derelict in its duty to inform the public and they aren't going to change until people speak up.
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Great news! The world is falling apart, and we can only worry about three doggies that were left behind? Get a grip, people! The nations of the world are having great problems which we need to be concerned about. We need to have news, not entertainews! You want that? Then check out the latest American Icon standings, etc. I live in this world! A real world, with real problems. Not diversionary stuff that may or may not make me feel better in my little insulated cocoon of self-adulation! Get with it, KATU; you are a news provider! Provide NEWS! Not entertainment!
 @jpk Apparently important enough for you to complain about? You do know that you don't have to read each article, apparently not so you were probably dropped at birth or something.
More hard hitting news that makes a difference K2.
A pulitzer winner for sure!
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This is sad, i have neighbors that treat their 2 dogs like this. Locked in a dark shed 24/7 rain, sleet, snow or wind, and on the occasion they can sneak out of their cell, they come straight to my fence looking for water, food, and love (which i gladly give them). But when they get caught, its back to dog house (no pun intended). I've called animal control to try and help, but the owners put on an act that they care. It's sad because all the dogs want is the love and affection that they can hear through the walls when we play catch with our dog. Which they deserve, but the owners have admitted they wished the dogs were dead....
 @GStanton Kerry-Lynne is right, and please talk to the OHS animal cruelty officer... about what is really going on there and ask their advice for the documentation they could best use. PLEASE...don't give up on these dogs!!! AC is not really on the ball with cruelty/neglect cases. Had to help ransom a pup out (with a group of pals passing the hat to raise $50) that was being beaten and starved to death and the people lied to AC and denied even having a dog when they came looking for it. So AC said: "we don't believe there is a dog there". We sent the dog to a good rescue after that.
 @GStanton You need to continue to call animal control, and also try to talk to your (heinous, despicable) ex-neighbors about options for their pets. Dogs are sentient beings; anyone who doesn't realize this is an ignorant miscreant. It is a HUGE DRAG when people who care encounter scumbags who don't care, and it's not fair that you must pick up the slack for the losers who won't take responsibility. I have been in the same position as you, and I feel for you. If you want to be brave and post your address, I will send you money to help defray cost of feeding these dogs until proper, loving homes can be found for them. In Oregon it's a felony to abandon animals - not sure what the eff is going on in Washington....
@GStanton  Then maybe they wouldn't mind if one day they "disappeared" from the shed while they were out shopping?........Right?..... (hint hint)!
 @pdxmom Been there, done that. No regrets. Would do it again if needed in a heartbeat. Saved a life. Have done variation of that as well a few more times, including paying "ransoms". Two of those ransomed live with me as I speak, having gotten out of unspeakably cruel hells. Animal Control was no help at all. Sometimes you have to answer to a Higher Law.
@pdxmom Trust me, thought about it, but they know i will, and bought cameras for their backyard :(Â
@GStanton If they have cameras, they are documenting the "care" they give these dogs. I would start keeping a daily log. I have done this before and the Humane Society will use it as evidence to remove the dogs. Don't be afraid to make a video with sound also. Thank you for speaking on behalf of these poor dogs.
aawww poor things! Â Its been cold out too... The owners really need to be held accountable to the max... I would of taken the dogs if it were me...
As far as I'm concerned, they've forfeited the animals already. You don't just "forget" a member of your family, let alone three of them. Dogs aren't like cats that can fend for themselves somewhat. They truly depend on their "pack leaders" to provide them with their needs. Absolutely inexcusable.
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 @Mikey Cats don't really fend for themselves well, either and that myth contributes to poor treatment of cats.
These poor dogs...my heart breaks for them. I wish there was something I could do, I wish I could adopt them myself and keep them together but I cannot have dogs. But its people like Jamie who help me believe in the kindness of others again, those who help no matter what. Thank you Jamie for all that you have done and for saving thier lives...you are amazing.
Absolutely inexcusable. Let's make the names of these people public and call them out on it.
@RabidAlley
I want to agree but then I worry about the other pets who instead of being just abandoned will face torturous deaths by people who don't want them: bludgeoning/tossing over bridge or onto freeway or other horrible things, cuz those happen all the time too. Please let's all advocate for shelters to:
A) not charge surrender FEES (donations, yes)
B) have a "safe-drop"Â open 24 hrs for pets to be dropped like they do at hospitals/fire stations for babies/infants so pets won't be abandoned and can be safely surrendered...even anonymously if it would help.
This is inexcusable. Â If you see pets as being no more important than a simple toy to be discarded when it inconveniences you, just fight the urge to adopt one and try to think of something else to fill whatever void causes you to want a pet in the first place. Â I think it's best if the previous owner doesn't pick these dogs up as they're just going to be abused or even killed. Â I hope a loving owner is found as soon as possible.
Man I hate people like this! They should definetly get fined. I wonder how long since they moved and when Seagraves noticed they were barking and what not!? Poor dogs. I wish I could save all the abused and left behind dogs. They have feelings too! I couldn't imagine leaving my dog behind. She's such a good girl I love her (Mastiff/Lab). I feel so sorry for these dogs and hope the "forgetful" UNRESPONSIBLE owners get whats coming to them by the Humane Society!
The only excuse I'd except is that they were moving into a nursing home and had no brain left.
Lets all pretend..or really care about these dogs, yet not give a rats when unborn children are murdered.Â
 @Karla Readsalot you seem to be a troll based on your recent ( and only 13 pts worth of fresh new) posts
 @Karla Readsalot Ah the token taliban nutcase.
 @Karla Readsalot Wow...you have to bring in your little snide remarks on a topic that has NOTHING to do with your pet peeve...  A lot of people DO care about abandoned animals.  And Abortion is a personal issue between a woman, her doctor, Her beliefs...so leave it be.
@Karla Readsalot .....Oh go away!
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 @Karla Readsalot What about all the living children who are homeless, starving and abused or murdered? I suppose they're not an issue.
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Tell you what...when you anti-abortion people make as much of an effort to keep these LIVING children out of harm's way as you do the unborn, then maybe you'll be worth listening to.
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The only reason most of you "care" so much about unborn fetuses is because, other than yapping continually about them and calling people "murderers", it requires virtually nothing from you in the way of support or money.
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So either put up or shut up.
@Mikey    1,000 thumbs up!
 @Karla Readsalot ~  You know, just because there are kids in our world (born or unborn), and there are issues going on about them (eg: abortion), doesn't mean that there are not other things / issues that are just as important.   Your post has nothing at all to do with this story.
 @margay1  @Karla Readsalot so let's flag it as off-topic! : )
 @Karla Readsalot Well, now we know all we need to know about you.
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 @negativerep  @Karla Readsalot except she's a troll ( and I think it is actually a "he" behind this avatar))
@Karla Readsalot Get of your cross we need the wood.
 @Karla Readsalot Way to turn a pet story into a personal opinion that has absolutely nothing to do with THIS story. Keep up the good work. *sarcasm*
"Face the possibility of losing the dogs" Are you freakin kidding me? These owners have clearly demonstrated that they are incapable of caring for tese dogs.They should be seized ASAP.The dogs deserve a new home.
These
 @noneofyourbizzness OMG! You made a mistake!! AAGGHH!!!
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OK. I'm over it.
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;-)
So cruel. How could you leave those adorable little guys to starve, trapped and defenseless. People make me sick.
 @Lips the abandoners break my heart in regards to humanity and Ms. Seagraves restores my faith in humanity ...we need to clone her x 1000000
 @Lips ~  I agree, but isn't it good that there are also people like Ms Seagraves, who care enough to intervene on behalf of these 3 little dogs..?   Â
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Well done, Ms Seagraves..! Â I hope those little dogs will find good homes soon! Â Â
 @margay1 Too true, Margay. I watched the interview last night and thought that very thing. Thanks for helping balance the badness in the world, Ms. Seagraves!
Nobody forgets the ones they love!! They deserve to be locked up and starved.
These pups are adorable. I hope the owners don't make it back and claim them before they get taken away. Animal control will "likely" return today to get them? What if they don't? Does that mean these sweet pups have to spend the weekend in the rain? Is there more information for those of us who might be able to provide temporary shelter for them?
@tigress I bet you could contact the station and they could put you in touch with the woman in the story. That would be so kind of you to take these little guys for a little bit. I just can't stop thinking of them out in this cold. Im not in a place to take them, but I think it is so great when people that can step in.
Theres only one fix for people like this, lock them in a cage and leave them sitting outside for 72 hours with nothing.. this crap sickens me.
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 @cantcurestupid Right idea, but the lock-up time is 27 days too short.
To some people abandoning animals is no different than breeding and leaving their kids. The mothers just call them baby daddies. I call them irresponsible pond scum.
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The same name is applicable to those who abandon helpless animals.
 @RalphCramden I've actually seen people have more regard for their dogs than their kids.
Animal horder
 @sortbait Animal "hoarder"? Of whom do you speak?