An off-duty police officer found eight dead dogs on the side of the road in suburban Minnesota on Sunday. Police are asking for the public’s help in pinpointing how the dogs died and who abandoned their bodies.
Off-duty officer discovers dead dogs
According to KTSP, around 12:30 p.m. on Sunday, an off-duty police officer was driving through the Cottage Grove area. They saw the dead dogs along the tree line of Grey Cloud Island Drive South. The officer called their shift supervisor to report the “disturbing” scene.
Police arrived and discovered the pups lying next to one another. The dogs ranged in age from puppies to adults, and were small-breed dogs. The breeds included Terriers and at least one Schnauzer. The pups had no obvious wounds or injuries. They did not appear to be the victims of a car accident, a shooting, or torture. Whether the dogs died in the area or someone dumped them there after they died is unclear.
“This is not some kind of ritualistic-looking thing,” Cottage Grove Police Department Officer Dan Schoen told the news outlet. “Unfortunately, it almost appears that maybe somebody just didn’t want eight dogs anymore and that was the way they decided to take care of it.”
The dogs did not have collars or any other ID. No one has come forward to claim the pets.
Authorities ask for public’s help
The Animal Human Society in Golden Valley will perform necropsies on the dogs. Police expect those autopsy results later this week.
In the meantime, the police are asking for the public’s help in finding the person responsible for the dead dogs. That person may face felony charges as a result of this heinous crime. Witnesses or those with other information can contact Officer Tou Vue by phone at 651-458-6052 or by email at tvue@cottagegrovemn.gov. Tipsters do not have to identify themselves.
“We really realize that this evokes quite a bit of an emotional response from people,” Officer Shoen said. While he reiterated that the police don’t know exactly what happened yet, “what I do know is if people can’t take care of their animals, please don’t do this. We have people that want to help you and want to take your animals.”
