40+ dogs abandoned at Boone Co. dog park, animal services asks for donations

WIFR
Boone County Animal Services asks for help after it says more than 40 dogs were abandoned at Hammertime Dog Park outside Belvidere.
The dogs were discovered early Monday morning by Rockford resident Mick Johnston, who visits the park daily with his dogs. Johnston says the animals were most likely left overnight in the storms and were soaking wet when he found them. Despite the rain, the dogs appeared to be good spirits and ran up to him to say hello.
“It looked like somebody had put a tarp up there for the dogs to be under,” Johnston explains. “But the way it was lightning and raining last night, that wasn’t going to work.”
After receiving a call from Johnston, Boone County Animal Sheriff’s Department and Boone County Animal Services stepped in to help. As of Monday afternoon, 49 dogs were captured by animal services, but they set traps for several more. Director Rick Borrett Jr. says the phone has been ringing off the hook as many people step in to donate food and other essential items to help nurse the underweight animals back to health.
“It’s a very bad example of what being a person is, somebody that would do this,” Borrett says. “Things like this also bring out the best in people as well. We’ve had an overwhelming show of support from the community.”
Johnston hopes a situation like never happens again, urging pet owners to reach out to their local animal services rather than leave defenseless animals to fend for themselves along a busy road.
“I can understand how someone that can’t take care of something like that wants to do that. But the real thing to do would be to call an animal control agency to help you with that,” Johnston says. “Instead of assuming that someone was going to find these dogs.”
The shelter shared a donation list and said any monetary donations would be applied to its veterinary fund.
The donation list includes:
Diamond Lamb and Rice Dry Dog Food (red/white bag)
Canned dog food (pate)
Hard small-medium dog treats
Durable long lasting dog toys (e.g. Kongs, Nyla bones)
Pet-safe Snap Martingale collars (S, M, L, XL)
Cat/kitten dry Iams food
Cat canned wet food
Farm and Fleet clay litter (non-clumping)
Blue Dawn dish soap
Bounty paper towels
Hefty XL garbage bags (STEELSAK 39G)
Boone County Animal Services requests people call ahead before bringing donations to their location at 4546 Squaw Prairie Road, Belvidere. The BCAS phone number is 815-547-7774. Visit their Facebook page for more information here.
The Boone County Sheriff’s Office is looking into who abandoned the dogs.
This story is developing and will be updated as more information becomes available.