Neglected dogs available for adoption

COLUMBIA—Twenty dogs seized from their owner are available for adoption today at the Central Missouri Humane Society, including cocker Spaniels, German shepherds, a bassett hound, a schnauzer, a terrier mix, a miniature poodle, Labrador retrievers and papillons.

In December, investigators from Missouri's Agriculture Department, the Callaway County Sheriff’s Department and the Central Missouri Humane Society took the dogs from Darion Dewayne Juniel of Fulton. Juniel was charged with animal abuse, according to Missouri Case.net.

Matt Rold, an investigator with the Department of Agriculture, said dogs were underweight and left out in cold temperatures.

“The biggest problem was that it had been freezing weather,” Rold said. “Most of the dogs had no kind of bedding. Their water was frozen. They couldn’t get out of their own excrement because their quarters were so tiny, and they weren’t being cleaned up after.”

The dogs were transferred to the Humane Society, where they received food, shelter and veterinary care. Many were infected with intestinal parasites and two were pregnant, said Patti Forister, executive director of the organization. Another dog died of complications from the parasites.

Now the dogs are healthy enough to be adopted, she said.

Forister said some still need grooming and bathing, and some dogs' coats are stained because of their former living conditions. 

“Some don’t look like normal house dogs yet – but they can, with a little help,” Forister said.

A few of the dogs are shy, but most are social, which means they’ll feel secure in new situations and around new people.

“That’s not always the case with neglected dogs,” Forister said. “These guys are a really good group and we feel really good about them.”

Those interested in adoption can call the Central Missouri Humane Society at 443-3893, or drop by 616 Big Bear Blvd. from noon until 5 p.m. Thursday through Monday.