Fundraiser To Help Pay Vet Bills Of Tampered Dog Treat Victims
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) - Earlier this month we told you how someone was deliberately hurting dogs in Lakeville.
Screws and safety pins were hidden in pieces of hot dog, and thrown into yards.
Several dog owners were left with big vet bills, and now a local business, Fancy Paws is trying to help raise money.
Fancy Paws is accepting cash donations only at the shop until the end of March.
"We saw a client on the news report about it, we saw how scared she was, and it really touched base for us," Natasha Friesen, Fancy Paws' marketing director, said.
The Animal Poisoning Fundraiser will help pay veterinary costs for area dogs injured by the tainted treats.
"We know it's in the thousands, we don't have exact numbers, because new information is really coming out every day," Fancy Paws owner Susan Hatch said.
Even though the fundraiser is going well, people are shocked by the gruesome crime that made it necessary.
"Everyone is just mortified that it's even happening," Friesen said. "I don't know what kind of person would go out there and just hurt dogs like that."
People who donate to the fund get tickets for a drawing, with merchandise and services donated by area businesses. The main gift basket is worth more than $800. The prizes will be awarded on April 1.
Donations are also coming from neighboring communities, including Apple Valley, Farmington and Burnsville.
"We knew we could count on our clients to help out and we knew they would want to help out," Hatch said. "[We've] raised about $2 thousand so far and we're hoping to get another thousand by the end of the week, before it ends."
If the money raised exceeds the vet bills for all the affected dogs, the funds remaining will be added to the reward being offered for information on whoever injured the dogs.