A dog owner has faced intense backlash after abandoning more than 20 sick puppies at her property on the Sunshine Coast, just days before the arrival of ex-Cyclone Alfred. The heartless act has drawn widespread condemnation from animal welfare groups and the public.
On Tuesday, the Lucky Paws Dog Rescue organization received an urgent call about a group of abandoned dogs left behind as the owner evacuated ahead of the approaching storm. Initially, they were informed that there were 12 dogs in need of help, but upon arrival, rescuers discovered a total of at least 22 animals, all in dire condition with serious health issues.
Describing the scene as “beyond devastating,” a spokesperson for the rescue group said the conditions were horrendous. “The property was like a squatter’s area, with no food or shelter for the animals,” the statement read. The owner had claimed she left food out for the dogs for the week, but there was no sign of it. When confronted, she reportedly told the rescuers, “Good luck catching them.”
Rescue teams managed to initially secure six puppies, with an additional 10 caught within 24 hours of intensive searching. However, due to worsening weather conditions, three dogs were left behind. As ex-Cyclone Alfred made its way toward southeast Queensland, the escalating storms made it too dangerous to retrieve them. Thankfully, reports from construction workers in the area confirmed that the three remaining dogs had found shelter in a nearby abandoned shed. The rescue team has promised to continue efforts to capture them when it is safe to do so.
“Rest assured, both the Council and Lucky Paws are committed to ensuring the safety of these three dogs,” the rescue group said. They have set up food stations to sustain the animals until they can be rescued safely.
The incident has sparked outrage on social media, with many users questioning how anyone could leave such vulnerable animals in such appalling conditions. “How does someone have this many dogs and abandon them like that?” one commenter wrote, while another added, “How could anyone treat these animals this way? They could have sought help sooner.”
The owner’s indifference to the situation was exemplified by her dismissive message to the rescue team: “Good luck catching them.”
The group of puppies, similar in size to Jack Russell or Tibetan Spaniels, is expected to make a full recovery once they are rescued. However, the tragic scene has drawn further attention to the severe weather warnings issued by the Bureau of Meteorology for southeast Queensland, which was forecast to receive up to three months’ worth of rain in just 24 hours. This has resulted in widespread flash flooding, with emergency warnings issued for multiple regions.
Queensland Premier David Crisafulli urged residents to take necessary precautions as the storm continued to batter the region, emphasizing that the worst was not over yet.
While the storm rages on, Lucky Paws Dog Rescue and local authorities remain focused on ensuring the safety of both the abandoned dogs and the residents affected by the severe weather.