Vilonia Woman Struggles to Care for 18 Abandoned Dogs
By: Adam Rodriguez
Updated: August 1, 2012
A Vilonia woman says her street has gone to the dogs.
Linda Stafford has a mangy bunch of dogs only a mother could love.
"Come on, babies! Come on! Come on! Come on!" calls the grandmother, feeding the scraggly strays pieces of hot dog.
She says it all started three weeks ago when a neighbor moved out, abandoning 18 dogs (mostly puppies) that found their way to Stafford's home in rural Vilonia.
"My husband says I shouldn't have fed then in the first place, but I did because I felt sorry for them," Stafford said. "It tears me apart."
Stafford says she's doing her best to take care of the dogs. She already has three of her own, but buys an extra 50 pound bag of dog food every week to take care of the starving animals. But it's not enough. All 18 dogs are skeletal in appearance, and lie in the shade most of the day, avoiding the heat and conserving energy.
The only ones getting enough to eat are the ticks embedded in the dog's fur. One of the dogs, the runt of a litter, is covered with hundreds of ticks. Stafford had just given the pup a bath, but the ticks returned overnight.
But that's not all. Stafford says the bigger, adult dogs have the run of the neighborhood. They run together, attacking other dogs and chasing horses. One of her neighbors shot and killed a stray that was attacking his horse.
Stafford says Faulkner County deputies have been to her home a dozen time, but they tell her they can't do anything without the owners name, address, social security number and birth date.
Vilonia doesn't have animal control, and there's no Humane Society in Faulkner County. Stafford called Conway Animal Control for help, but they told her they can't take the dogs because she doesn't live in the city. The Human Society of Pulaski County also turned her down, saying they didn't have any room, and a waiting list.
But Stafford's biggest problem is she cares. And it tears her up inside because there's nothing more she can do.
"They don't bite. They don't growl. They don't do anything. They just want to be loved and fed," Stafford said.
Comments
please give this ladies contact info out !!!! i guess i have her old number or the one listed in the book and my phone wont stop ringing . i hope all the puppies find homes
lisa d.
August 2, 2012 at 6:34 pm
I help with a rescue and we would love to help this lady out. I have immediate space for puppies. Can we get contact info or someone we can give our info to for her to contact us? Thank you
Sandy A.
August 1, 2012 at 9:57 pm
Other rescue organizations are also stepping up to find out to contact this woman so they can help. Need info.
Michele M.
August 1, 2012 at 9:51 pm
I help with a rescue and we would love to help this lady out. I have immediate space for puppies. Can we get contact info or someone we can give our info to for her to contact us? Thank you
Sandy A.
August 1, 2012 at 9:46 pm
