These playful Saint Bernard puppies are just 6 weeks old, but they’ve already been through a lot.
The 12 of them and their mother were turned over to animal control earlier this month, after their father, Buddy, was found wandering in Douglas State Forest.
“Someone driving past stopped and said hey this looks like so-and-so’s dog, so they pulled out their cell phone and they called him,” said regional animal control officer Kevin Sullivan.
Sullivan says when they caught Buddy and reached the owners, they allegedly initially lied and said Buddy was one of eight dogs they rehomed after being evicted.
“That was when she admitted to us that they dumped him in the state forest,” said Sullivan.
One of the owners, Steven Banville of Sutton, was charged with animal cruelty and misleading a police investigation.
Sullivan said, “This family was in over their head, they made a stupid decision with the male, the dad dog Buddy, but since then they’ve worked with us with the pups.”
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And now Sullivan says Pawfect Life Rescue of Uxbridge has helped immensely with the cost of vet bills and helping to coordinate adoptions.
Julie Uthoff, who created the non-profit Pawfect Life Rescue said, “It’s been wonderful, people are very supportive, and they want to help with them so that’s all we can ask for, we can’t do anything without the support of the community.”
Sullivan added, “Puppies are doing really well now, they’re all putting weight, they’ve doubled, if not tripled in size over the last two weeks.”
Pawfect Life Rescue got hundreds of applications for adoptions and even sponsors for each puppy to help with vet bills – but they can always use help with supplies, donations and adoptions for other dogs.
Meanwhile, Banville is scheduled to return to court March 21.
