'They are skin and bones': 4 puppies found abandoned in box by Manitoba highway
A Manitoba dog rescue is looking for answers after four freezing, malnourished puppies were found abandoned in a box on the side of a highway.
The four puppies – now named Parsnip, Artichoke, Turnip and Fennel – are on the mend in a foster home with Manitoba Underdogs Rescue.
Last week, a Pembina-area vet contacted the rescue about the four puppies that had been found on the side of a highway just outside La Salle.
"They were malnourished, they were covered in fleas, they were nearly frozen," said Tara Maslowsky, the events coordinator with Manitoba Underdogs Rescue. "They're 18-week-old puppies that were just kind of left to fend for themselves."
As for how the puppies wound up on the side of the road, Maslowsky said she isn't sure if they will ever truly know. At this point, the rescue suspects it was a backyard breeder that abandoned the dogs after failing to sell them.
"Right now, we're still kind of investigating and trying to put those pieces together," she said, asking anyone who may know anything about the puppies to reach out to the rescue on social media.
Four puppies named Parsnip, Artichoke, Turnip and Fennel found on the side of a highway just outside La Salle on March 22, 2023. (Source: Manitoba Underdogs Rescue)
"This is unacceptable what happened to these animals."
She said if more information is gathered, the rescue will be reporting the incident to police.
It is not the first time something like this has happened.
In January, 10 purebred golden retriever puppies were also found abandoned near a rural Manitoba highway. At the time, animal advocates told CTV News they believe many of the abandoned animals had been pandemic adoptees.
Manitoba Underdogs Rescue Executive Director Jessica Hansen said the number of animals being abandoned or relinquished by people who adopted them during pandemic lockdowns is having a big impact. The rescue said it is currently over capacity with more than 100 dogs in care.
As for these puppies, three were taken to a foster home while one needed to be admitted to a veterinary hospital. It has since been reunited with its siblings.
Four puppies named Parsnip, Artichoke, Turnip and Fennel found on the side of a highway just outside La Salle on March 22, 2023. (Source: Manitoba Underdogs Rescue)
"They are skin and bones," Maslowsky said adding the rescue is focused on nursing the puppies back to health and finding them loving homes.
"We're looking for donations, we're looking for food, we're looking for supplies – anything that can help these puppies towards their vet care and feeding their little bellies."
She said the rescue is in desperate need of puppy food. More information can be found on the Manitoba Underdogs Rescue website.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
B.C. tenants evicted for landlord's use after refusing large rent increase to take over neighbouring suite
Ashley Dickey and her mother rented part of the same Coquitlam duplex in three different decades under three different landlords.
Mountain guide dies after falling into a crevasse in Banff National Park
A man who fell into a crevasse while leading a backcountry ski group deep in the Canadian Rockies has died.
Expert warns of food consumption habits amid rising prices
A new survey by Dalhousie University's Agri-Food Analytics Lab asked Canadians about their food consumption habits amid rising prices.
MPP Sarah Jama asked to leave Ontario legislature for wearing keffiyeh
MPP Sarah Jama was asked to leave the Legislative Assembly of Ontario by House Speaker Ted Arnott on Thursday for wearing a keffiyeh, a garment which has been banned at Queen’s Park.
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
Ex-tabloid publisher testifies he scooped up possibly damaging tales to shield his old friend Trump
As Donald Trump was running for president in 2016, his old friend at the National Enquirer was scooping up potentially damaging stories about the candidate and paying out tens of thousands of dollars to keep them from the public eye.
Here's why provinces aren't following Saskatchewan's lead on the carbon tax home heating fight
After Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the federal government would still send Canada Carbon Rebate cheques to Saskatchewan residents, despite Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe's decision to stop collecting the carbon tax on natural gas or home heating, questions were raised about whether other provinces would follow suit. CTV News reached out across the country and here's what we found out.
Montreal actress calls Weinstein ruling 'discouraging' but not surprising
A Montreal actress, who has previously detailed incidents she had with disgraced Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein, says a New York Court of Appeals decision overturning his 2020 rape conviction is 'discouraging' but not surprising.
Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels and Drake Maye make it four NFL drafts with quarterbacks going 1-3
Caleb Williams is heading to the Windy City, aiming to become the franchise quarterback Chicago has sought for decades.