Several dogs left outside in the region during the recent cold spell have been brought to Virginia to be treated and eventually put up for adoption, according to PETA.
When temperatures dropped in recent weeks, PETA fieldworkers have been out daily to come to the aid of dogs left chained or penned outside in the frigid temperatures, some of which saw their water bowls freeze over without any care from their owners.
Since the recent streak of cold weather, PETA has been imploring residents to bring animals inside, resulting in the recovery of at least two dogs taken from North Carolina and brought to the Virginia Beach SPCA after being abused by their caretakers.
Symptoms some dogs face after being left outside include frostbite, hypothermia, and possibly death.
Among the dogs recently re-homed to Virginia were a pair of Yorkies who were kept in the freezing cold with “filthy food and water bowls.”
“Stella, who was found emaciated with painful pressure sores on her backside,” was among the animals rescued, officials said. “Stella spent the night at PETA’s headquarters before heading to the Virginia Beach SPCA for a chance at adoption.