By MATTHEW PARRY
Parry@newsroom.byu.edu
Some people may dislike dogs, but most won't go to extremes to make them suffer excruciating pain.
Deputies continued investigating the shores of the southeast side of Utah Lake in search of evidence for the excessive animal abuse that occurred to four puppies last week, said Deputy Rob Braiden of the Utah County Sheriff's Department.
A Payson family found the four dogs seriously injured last Sunday on the west side of West Mountain by Utah Lake, Braiden said.
Each puppy suffered serious injuries and is receiving veterinarian attention under the supervision of Citizens Animal Management Protection Society at Petsmart in Orem, said Ruthanne Nielson, CAMPS representative for Utah County.
CAMPS is a non-profit organization that helps cats and dogs by placing them into foster homes before they are adopted, Nielson said.
One dog suffered a broken leg, while another was slashed through the right hip with a knife, Nielson said.
The third puppy received a respiratory concussion after being kicked in the chest. The fourth one is frightened of people and suffers emotional scars from abuse, Nielson said.
'There were actually seven dogs found at Utah Lake and one that we were unable to catch,' Braiden said.
Along with the four dogs that were found, another three puppies were found dead. The last puppy fled the area and is still missing, Braiden said.
'We've had a lot of trouble with abandonment, but I think this is pretty sick,' Braiden said. 'They're just little puppies.'
A month ago, three dogs were found tied to a telephone pole in a hangman's noose, Braiden said.
'With a hangman's noose, the minute you start to struggle, the knot gets tighter and tighter,' Braiden said. 'All three dogs died from suffocation.'
Braiden said there was no way of knowing if the two events were related.
A total of $716 have been donated to help pay for the vet bills and over $1000 are needed to help fix the dogs, Nielson said.
On April 15, the puppies will be available for adoption at Petsmart in Orem between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Those who want to foster the puppies will have first rights to adopt them, Nielson said.
Donations for the puppies can be mailed to: CAMPS, P.O. Box 3353 S. Main St. No. 144, Salt Lake City, UT 84115.