DICKSON COUNTY, Tenn. — Twelve puppies are now recovering after being found abandoned in the woods near Woods Valley Road in Charlotte, Tennessee. Local authorities are investigating the case, suspecting that the puppies were dumped in the rural area.
The puppies, believed to be around eight weeks old, were discovered by a woman who alerted authorities to the situation. Despite the difficult circumstances, the puppies have shown remarkable trust and affection. Lavonne Redferrin, director of Proverbs 12:10 Animal Rescue, expressed her surprise at their gentle nature. “They’re very sweet and loving, and despite being dumped, they are very trusting,” Redferrin said.
The puppies, whose breed remains uncertain, have already received veterinary care, revealing a number of health issues. “They have coccidia, a parasitic infection, and were loaded with ticks and fleas,” Redferrin explained. “One has a hole in her neck from a flybot.” Despite these challenges, the animals are making progress and are receiving the necessary care to recover.
As of the latest report, eight of the twelve puppies have been placed with foster families. Redferrin noted that the puppies’ social and trusting behavior suggests they had been exposed to humans prior to being abandoned. “They don’t seem shy, which tells me whoever dumped them was around them some for them to be as social as they are,” she said. “Animals are so helpless and so vulnerable — they have no voice of their own and are at the mercy of people.”
This case highlights a broader issue in Dickson County and across Tennessee, where animal dumping remains a persistent problem. Redferrin emphasized that animal shelters in the area are full, and cases of abandoned or injured animals are reported nearly every week. “This is very prevalent,” she stated. “There’s not a week that we’re not contacted about abandoned or dumped animals, many of whom are starved or injured.”
Redferrin stressed the importance of responsible pet ownership, urging prospective pet owners to consider the long-term commitment involved in caring for an animal. “A pet is like a child. It’s a lifetime commitment,” she said, adding that spaying and neutering pets is crucial in reducing the number of unwanted animals.
The case of the twelve puppies serves as a reminder of the vulnerability of animals and the urgent need for greater responsibility when it comes to pet ownership in the community.
