WATERVILLE — Two dogs were dumped overnight at the Humane Society Waterville Area with nothing but mouths full of porcupine quills and a soggy note from their owner.

The Great Dane named Magnum — according to the note — and a terrier named Buddy were cold, in pain and “very, very not happy little dogs” when they were found by the shelter staff in an outdoor dog run on the property around 7 a.m., operations manager Pam Nichols said Wednesday.

She said it’s clear the dogs were left at the shelter before the snow started overnnight, because there were no tire tracks or footprints.

The owner had folded a note into the door of the shelter that said “The black one’s name is Magnum. The white one’s name is Buddy (Bud). Couldn’t afford them. Family is extremely heartbroken.”

Nichols said the dogs were taken to New England Animal Hospital, where the quills were removed. Both dogs are running high temperatures, so they have been given antibiotics and they are resting comfortably, she said.

The shelter is paying for the dogs’ “really big medical costs” and officials hope area residents will help. Wednesday’s treatment cost $565, and both dogs also have tapeworms and must be neutered.

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In a news release, shelter officials said both dogs will be put up for adoption, but the owner must sign the surrender papers.

“There will be no judgment or punishment,” the release said.

At the time the news release was being written, the older dog “was crying on the shoulder of a kennel tech” and “the baby was curled in a fetal position just now, crying.”

Nichols said it’s unusual for dogs to be dumped overnight at the shelter.

The Humane Society Waterville Area serves 28 communities in Kennebec, Waldo and Somerset counties.


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