COLONIAL HEIGHTS, Va. -- The Colonial Heights Animal Shelter has asked the public to share photos of a truck involved in a dog drop off the week of Thanksgiving.

"Someone pulled up to the animal shelters 6' fence and threw three dogs over and drove away," the shelter posted on Facebook. "Please take a look at the dogs and the truck. If you have ANY info please contact animal control at 804-520-9397."



Volunteers said the three unknown dogs have improved each day since their abandonment, Nov. 25.

The shelter has taken to social media asking for the public to help identify the owner of what they believe is a 2005 blue or green Ford F-150 with a dog box and tool box in the bed.

Dr. Jennifer Morris, with the Veterinary Emergency and Specialty center in Richmond sees these cases far too often.

"As an emergency veterinarian, I see the animals that are just left and abandoned and neglected and haven't been taken care of and those animals come into us very sick and sometimes don't make it," Morris said.

Morris said there are options, like foster networks or proper drop off at your local shelter if keeping your pet isn't an option.

"There's a lot of people who want to take over these animals. There's more risk of penalty or getting in trouble for not taking care of your animal and leaving it in poor conditions. It's so much better to get it to people who want to take care of it, can take care of it, have the resources to take care of it," she said.

The shelter said they are waiting on a final report from their veterinarian on the physical conditions of the dogs and a prognosis.

WTVR CBS 6 Legal Analyst Todd Stone said throwing an animal over a fence would be considered cruelty to animals. That is a class one misdemeanor and punishable by up to 12 months in jail and up to a $2,500 fine.

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