Polk County Humane Society explains dangers of abandoning animals

POLK COUNTY, Mo. (KY3) – A car struck and killed a dog after someone left it by the Polk County Humane Society in Bolivar earlier this week.

The dog was dropped off by the facility after hours and then collided with a nearby freeway.

Polk County Humane Society board member Amy Campbell said it was life threatening to an animal.

“I want to get mad and I want to get mad,” Campbell said.

Marcie Rodgers, another Polk County Humane Society board member, said it was bad for the animal’s survival.

“It’s the worst thing you can do for the animal because it’s unlikely to survive,” Rodgers said. “These animals are not made to survive on their own. “

Rodgers said they caught the culprit on their security cameras and the community helped find this person.

Campbell said education is essential when you can no longer care for an animal, especially since many shelters have wait lists.

“Just to be educated on what they know they are able to do or what is open to them, to bring a pet to the shelter, and not feel so upset and guilty about it, but do it for all the right reasons, ”Campbell said.

Laura Persinger, deputy director of the Polk County Humane Society, said she can give any animal a home.

“If they’re not willing to take the dog, then someone else would be willing to take it and he could go to a loving home,” Persinger said.

Rodgers said the animal spill could be easily taken care of.

“The greatest thing you can do to stop animal spillage is to actually neuter and neuter your pets,” Rodgers said. “The biggest problem we have in this area are unwanted animals. “

This is not just a problem in Polk County. It is a common problem throughout Southwest Missouri and the country.

“It’s a huge problem everywhere,” Rodgers said. “I’ve worked in all parts of Missouri and in all parts of that part of the country, the Midwest and the South. It is a problem in all areas.

Campbell said understanding the dire situations shelters can find themselves in goes a long way.

“No animal wants to spend their life and days in a shelter,” Campbell said. “I always like to say that an animal’s life is so short. They deserve every day to be a great day.

The Polk County Sheriff‘s Office is currently investigating the spill incident.

Head to the Polk County Humane Society website if you are interested in adopting or fostering an animal.

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