February 18, 2007

It could be because they're too slow or too old. Now that most hunting seasons are over, shelters are filling up with abandoned hunting dogs.

Hounds and beagles are used as hunting dogs by many. But now, many dogs are on the hunt for a home.

Executive Director of the Charlottesville Albemarle SPCA, Susanne Kogut says right now, almost half of their dogs are hounds and beagles. "A lot of hunters take fabulous care of their dogs, but some of them don't and those are the dogs that will end up here," she says.

Ross Tierney is the President of Mountain River Outdoors off Route 29, and he's an avid hunter with his two dogs.

Tierney says, "They are a great pet and asset as a working dog, and some of the most pleasure I have, [and] I know they have, is the time spent in the woods doing the things that they love and are trained to do, which is hunting."

He says most working dogs are well taken care of and loved. "But there are a few people who do abuse the system and don't take care of the dogs and do what I consider immoral hunting acts," he adds.

The people at the SPCA hope everyone loves their hunting dogs as much as Tierney.

Kogut says, "They [the dogs] want a home, they don't want to stay here. We take good care of them, but they really belong in a loving home."

The dogs currently at the Charlottesville Albemarle SPCA are looking for homes.

Kogut says former hunting dogs can become great pets because they're used to other dogs and people.

Abandoning a dog is a misdemeanor crime.