| Updated: 8/03/2012 12:03 am |
Published: 7/31/2012 9:48 pm
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An animal being dumped on the side of road is illegal and inhumane.
FOX23 News alerted authorities about two dogs found dead in the roadway in Turley.
The dogs were found deceased and bloated and it didn’t look like they had been there for very long near East 61st St. North and North Lewis.
"What if children have to go by and see that? It's not a good thing for children to experience," said Tulsa County Sheriff’s Office Major Shannon Clark.
Investigators believe the dogs were intentionally put there and could have been killed and then dumped.
Roadside dumping has gone beyond being an eyesore or littering, it is now inhumane.
"Laziness," said Jean Letcher with Tulsa Animal Welfare.
Abandoned pets can also be considered carelessness.
“They didn't die on their own,” said Clark.
The female dog had a hole in her neck and the male still had his collar but there were no visible tags.
However, investigators believe the feed bags near the animals could have been used to wrap the dogs.
"It's apparent these dogs didn't die of disease or on their own. Someone helped them pass away. It's apparent from the pictures you showed us that someone took them out there and dumped them,” said Clark.
The dogs are believed to be a Pit Mix, a breed investigators suspect could be used for illegal use.
"Maybe those dogs were used in some clandestine animal fighting ring. If they weren't productive, they weren't doing what was necessary for the owners to make money and they could dispose of those dogs," said Clark.
FOX23 News stopped to talk to a driver who lives in the area and he said this isn’t the first time he’s seen dead dogs dumped on the road.
"It's so common out here I guess. I just say it's so common," said James. "I do hope by you bringing attention to it. Something gets done about it."
Investigators said in a secluded area, roadway dumping happens fast and the offenders could hide, which makes it tough to catch anyone.
“They can see any cars coming and if it is at night they could see headlights coming," said Clark.
Neighbors said they feel helpless.
"Even though we don't like it, there is nothing we can do it about it. Unless we stand out here 24/7 and stop people from doing it," said one neighbor.
The Turley area where the dogs were dumped is considered Tulsa County jurisdiction. Road crews are responsible for disposing of animals on roadways.
FOX23 News reported the dead dogs and was told the animals will be properly disposed of on Wednesday.
Letcher said you can take deceased animals to a landfill, call animal pick up and put the dog in a paper bag and set it on the road. You can contact animal pick by calling the Mayor’s Action Line at (918) 596-2100.
Another option is having a veterinarian check your dog for proper euthanization.
Under Oklahoma law, violating the animal disposal law is considered a misdemeanor crime, facing a $100 to $500 fine and up to one year in jail.
On Thursday, FOX23 News checked the location where the dogs were found and they were removed.
