Expectant moms among group of dogs being cared for at shelter

McCook Humane Society animal shelter volunteer Brad Ellis of Culbertson cuddles with an abandoned female dog discovered on Christmas Eve day to be expecting puppies. (Connie Jo Discoe/McCook Gazette)

McCOOK, NEBRASKA -- Law enforcement officers' initial estimate was 20 dogs dumped in a rural Red Willow County road ditch Saturday night. Then they counted a total of 14.

However, on Christmas Eve afternoon, Lorie Prestes, acting director of the McCook Humane Society, and a shelter volunteer made a closer examination of each of the 14 dogs, and discovered, to their dismay, that the first estimate won't be so far off: two of the females are definitely pregnant and expecting soon; the due dates for two mother mammas aren't as close.

Every one of the long-haired small-breed dogs is matted and dirty, with stickers poking their tummies and legs. Lorie has lovingly named one little boy "Matt." A little girl is "Matilda." Another is "Dred" for the dirty dred locks hanging from his ears and ribs.

Another expectant mother, also abandoned in a county road ditch, is a Yorkie. (Connie Jo Discoe/McCook Gazette)

The dogs are Bichon, Westie, Shih Tzu, Yorkies, poodle-mixes, terrier-mixes and all combinations thereof. The youngest is estimated at two years old, the oldest is probably six.

Unfortunately, one of the older males bit a Red Willow County deputy during the rescue and has been placed in isolation for 10 days. Sheriff Gene Mahon said Wednesday morning that the deputy was treated at McCook Community Hospital for a bite on his hand and is on antibiotics.

The dogs are not totally unsocialized. Some are happy tail-waggers; some are happy yappers, thankful for any attention. Others are more subdued, some just scared, some just naturally very shy. Some are snugglers. None of them deserves the lives they've been living, or were expected to live from a road ditch.

Lorie said that until her regular groomer comes back from Christmas vacation, she could use some help shaving the dogs. It's not going to be an easy job, she said; the mats are so bad on some of the dogs they're impairing the movement of their legs.

Anyone wanting to help with the haircuts, or just socializing the dogs, is encouraged to call Lorie at the shelter, (308) 345-2372.

Sheriff Mahon said this morning that he and his officers are following up on any and all leads and information people can give them on the dogs. They are working with a U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) investigator on the case, the sheriff said.

Anyone with information about where the dogs came from is asked to call the sheriff's office, (308) 345-1850.