Minn. Group Saves 41 Pets From S.D. Reservation
SISSETON, S.D. (WCCO) -- A plan to shoot stray dogs on a reservation in South Dakota has a group of Minnesotans doing what they can to help.
Dogs will soon be banned in public housing on the Traverse Indian Reservation in Sisseton, where there are already too many former pets wandering the streets.
"We've gotten a call from the tribal police saying that there were too many strays running around and their only option would be to shoot them," said Cheryl Anderson with the Lake Traverse Animal Rescue.
It was a mission of mercy for rescuers who traveled more than 500 miles round-trip to find as many dogs and cats as they could.
"One dog was found literally running down the road with another dog, a little tiny Pomeranian. So, we stopped the car, we opened the door and they jumped in," said Heidi Harden with Paws 4 Cause.
Thirty-one dogs were rescued and 10 cats were also saved. It's one of the last chances people who live on the reservation have to find a good home for their pets.
"The Lake Traverse Housing Authority has declared a ban on all dogs in public housing," Harden said.
The ban on dogs in public housing was first scheduled for Jan. 1. It has now been pushed back to April 1.
Of the animals found, some were well cared for, others were covered in ice and some had burrs in their fur, but all were friendly.
"They are all very social animals, because they live, generally, running loose a lot of the time," Anderson said. "They have to get along with dogs, they have to get along with cats."
From here they get checked out by the vet and then all of the animals are up for adoption. If you'd like more information about that, click here for Paws 4 Cause's website.
WCCO-TV's Reg Chapman Reports
