A scrawny dog was seized on Wednesday morning in Deurne by the East Brabant Animal Police. The animal was so thin that the police officer who arrived at it was shocked. “As an experienced animal police officer, even I was surprised by the neglect of this dog,” he said on X.
The dog is currently being cared for at a secret location, the Animal Police said. “The owner of the dog has received a report and has given up his four-legged friend,” says the officer who seized the dog.
Criminal act
He points out that neglecting or mistreating animals is not only sad, it is also punishable. Whether a poorly treated animal can be returned to its owner is up to the public prosecutor.
“If an animal is not allowed to return, the animal goes to a shelter,” says Saskia Thijssen of the Animal Protection Society. “But it sometimes happens that an owner still wants to get his pet back. That is why we care for these animals in a secret place.”
Investigate first
That care is quite close. “When you see an animal severely malnourished, you should not immediately give it a lot of food,” says veterinarian Caroline Hommers. “You must first investigate carefully how the animal got so thin.”
According to Hommers, it must be checked whether the animal is malnourished or whether it is due to a disease. If it turns out that an animal is malnourished, it is important, according to Hommers, that the diet is built up slowly.
According to the vet, giving a whole bowl full of food is tempting but not desirable. “The animal immediately starts eating like crazy, but the stomach is no longer used to that. They will usually regurgitate everything again.”
If you find an abused or neglected animal, you can report this by calling 144, the telephone number of the Animal Police.