Photo: Ford, Brad
On Thanksgiving Day, Oregon State Police troopers responded to the Love’s Truck Stop in Klamath Falls for the report of a suspicious vehicle in the parking lot. A U-Haul truck had been abandoned in the parking lot for approximately two days. When the troopers arrived, they could hear barking from the back of the enclosed truck.
An investigation revealed the U-Haul had been reported stolen and troopers obtained a search warrant for the vehicle. Troopers found seven cages with 15 abandoned dogs including several puppies. The dogs had been severely neglected; however, all were found alive. The dogs had been abandoned in the back of the U-Haul since Monday, Nov. 20, 2023.
Troopers contacted two suspects and were able to recover an additional 10 dogs. The two suspects were arrested.
In all, 25 dogs were turned over the Klamath County Animal Shelter for evaluation and care. One puppy has tested positive for canine parvo. All dogs currently at the shelter have been quarantined and the shelter sanitized to help prevent further spread of the disease. Once medically cleared the dogs will be available for adoption and the animal shelter has already received dozens of adoption applications for the dogs.
Source: Oregon State Police