16 badly neglected dogs found abandoned in SoCal park

A routine call about dogs running loose in a park turned into one of the most disturbing animal rescue scenes local officers have seen.

Responders were told small dogs were left abandoned in a corner of a park in Palmdale, north of Los Angeles. When a supervisor and the team arrived they found 16 dogs roaming free with severely matted fur covered in dirt and waste and a terrible smell.

“It’s a call we couldn’t believe when it came in over the radio: ‘Multiple loose small dogs appear left abandoned in the park,’” the animal shelter wrote on social media. “And it was exactly that.”

The rescue quickly became a full team effort. Officers worked together to secure every dog and make sure none were left behind.

Heartbreaking images released by the Animal Care Center depict the group of poodle mixes, commonly known as ‘Doodles,’ discovered in a state of severe neglect.

At the same time personnel prepared for their medical care so each dog could be vaccinated and receive treatment.

Support from the community and animal advocates was immediate.

As soon as they learned about the situation the Palmdale animal shelter stepped in to work on placing these dogs in homes by the end of their stray-hold period.

This kind of abandonment is rare and distressing but the team was trained to handle it and acted quickly to get these animals to safety and care.

Authorities are now asking for help from the public.

If you or anyone you know can provide information about where these dogs came from or who left them at the park please email palmdale@animalcare.lacounty.gov.

“This situation doesn’t happen often,” the county animal shelter in Palmdale wrote. “It’s what our team is trained to handle, but we need your help.”

It is unclear who the animals belong to or what is to happen to them after being tended to.

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