Editor’s note: The names of the residents who intervened in this near-tragic event are not being revealed in order to protect their privacy.

It has been nearly three months since a litter of eight puppies were born in the Niagara-on-the-Lake neighbourhood of Niagara on the Green.

Four of the puppies were found abandoned in the neighbourhood park last week.

The four pups were found by a resident that was out for a walk in the park. She immediately took them to the Humane Society of Greater Niagara.  

When they were found, they were extremely thin and malnutritioned. They are currently under veterinary care. They are believed to be a mastiff/shepherd mix.

After their rescue, the Humane Society took to social media in an effort to find who abandoned the dogs. That post was in turn shared on the private Niagara on the Green Facebook page by a resident.

That lead two residents of the neighbourhood to reach out to this correspondent with information about the puppies, including where the other four puppies and adult were. 

They were both advised to contact the Niagara Regional Police and the Humane Society and use Crime Stoppers if they wished to remain anonymous. One resident had already contacted the Humane Society.  

One of the two residents reported that she had adopted two of the pups, before the four were abandoned. Those pups, now named Backup and Pepper are doing well in a loving home. They are both females.

It was learned that the person who abandoned the pups still had possession of the female dog and two remaining pups. However, tragically one of the two pups died.

It was reported that the deceased pup had been placed in the resident’s green bin and placed at the curb.

On Nov. 20 the police, the Humane Society and a representative from the Provincial Animal Welfare Services (PAWS) visited the house as part of their investigation and to discuss this event with the owner. They confiscated the green bin, which was still at the curb.

It is unknown whether they confiscated the adult dog and remaining pup.

In a telephone interview with Britney Howard of the Humane Society, she said the four pups discovered in the park are doing well and responding to treatment. She said they are gaining weight and will be ready for adoption soon.  

She said she could not say much more as this is still an active investigation by PAWS.

PAWS did not respond to emailed questions by publication time.

Of the eight puppies that were born nearly three months ago, seven survived and are now in good care and getting stronger by the day.

The Humane Society stresses that help is available for pet owners finding it difficult to care for their animals.

“If you are struggling to care for your pets, please reach out to us for assistance, including surrender options, advice and information about local support programs,” the organization posted on its Facebook page last Tuesday.

The Humane Society of Greater Niagara can be reached at 905-682-0767 or via email at hello@hsgn.ca.

Steve Hardaker has lived in the Niagara-on-the-Lake’s community of Glendale since 2010.  He is involved in a number of community organizations.