More than 300 dogs died of hunger at a Ukrainian shelter

Shelter animals are also suffering as a result of the conflict in Ukraine. Volunteers at a shelter outside Kyiv, Ukraine's capital, discovered more than 250 malnourished dogs who had gone weeks without food or water, as well as more than 300 who had starved to death. Image Credit: AP

NPR: An animal charity said on Tuesday that more than 300 dogs were found dead in a Ukrainian animal shelter after going weeks without food or water.

UAnimals volunteers who returned to the Borodyanka shelter outside Kyiv, the capital, said the dogs were starved to death by Russian troops who had left them locked in cages for nearly a month amid continuous bombings.

"Unfortunately, many of the dogs perished as the shelter became increasingly inaccessible due to the conflict," Wendy Higgins, director of international media for Humane Society International, told NPR in an email.

Higgins stated that the organization is collaborating with local organizations and volunteers, including UAnimals, to relocate the remaining animals.

"Now that Russian troops have left the area and the shelter is finally open to volunteers, the Ukraine Small Animal Veterinary Association has confirmed that 253 dogs were found alive," she added.

According to Higgins, 25 of those were taken in critical condition to nearby veterinary clinics, where they appear to be improving and are now thought to be in stable condition.

"The remaining dogs are being removed from the shelter to safety, and foster homes in Ukraine's neighboring countries are being sought for them," Higgins explained.

UAnimals shared several gruesome images of the emaciated canines lying lifeless in small enclosures on Facebook. They appear to be embracing in some photos but piled in a mound with their malnourished limbs akimbo in others.

The photos have angered Facebook users, who have classified the incident as an "inexcusable tragedy" that is "too disgusting for words."

"Animals do not initiate war. They have no other option. What a horrible way to just go "one user commented

Others are blaming the shelter's owners, claiming they should not have left the dogs locked inside in the first place.

Higgins provided some good news: a Ukrainian cat will soon be reunited with its family in Arkansas after the family escaped the occupation's carnage.

Source