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Detroit, once the epicenter of American auto manufacturing, formerly a major global hub of commerce and industry, is now suffering through the worst economic collapse that any single city in this nation has ever seen. As more and more residents flee the once thriving Motor City – the population has dropped from 1.8 million to just over 700,000 in only a few years – those that remain find themselves dealing with a new, heartbreaking development.
The playing children, picnicking families, and successful businesses that once filled the streets and homes of Detroit are quickly being replaced with packs of abandoned dogs, former family pets left behind, strays and their offspring, left to fend for themselves while the city is overwhelmed.
An estimated 50,000 homeless dogs are taking up residence in vacant buildings, roaming the streets in packs in search of food and water, or living alone, chained to their former home in a desperate attempt by the owner to protect their property in a city overrun with crime.
23 Animal Control officers pick up an average of 40 stray dogs every single day. But kennels are filled to capacity and, with few adoptions, 90% of these dogs are euthanized, no matter what their health or temperament is.
Hush Carlisle, a dog lover born and raised in Detroit and desperate to see his city change, for both the people and the dogs, created the video below, to show the American public the growing stray dog problem that the city of Detroit does not want you to see:
To learn more about Detroit’s dogs, visit www.DetroitDogRescue.com.
Detroit Dog Rescue focuses on raising awareness of the mounting homeless and stray dog problem in Detroit, along with advocating for humane rescue alternatives such as no-kill sheltering, foster care and adoptions, pet identification and healthy pet population control through spay and neutering. DDR has an added mission to open Motown’s first no-kill shelter.
Visit Detroit Dog Rescue on Facebook by clicking here.
Julie van Niekerk
Aug 26, 2013 at 3:09 am
Humans are the reason there are stray animals.
Barbara
Jan 18, 2014 at 5:26 pm
Humans are the reason for all the problems that we have to go through. Just stop[p and think about it.
The stray dogs in Detroit are eating each other during the winter just to stay alive. It is sickening. They eat their puppies because they can’t feed them and no one has any money to help them.
It is so very sad.
DEANNA SCOTT
Aug 26, 2013 at 12:15 am
This is terrible. How can people help?
LINDA MASTIN
Aug 23, 2013 at 7:42 am
THIS WAS ON NEWS THE OTHER DAY….ABC……
Teri Tremper
Aug 23, 2013 at 1:34 am
Thank you for posting –
Karen DiCarlo
Aug 23, 2013 at 12:53 am
I think you should contact Ellen Degeneres….I would almost bet that she would help you out in some way…this is so brutal, not only for the dogs but for the community or what is left of one.
You’re in my thoughts and prayers
Karen DiCarlo
Elizabeth Ochoa
Aug 28, 2013 at 5:42 pm
Ellen Degeneres or any other actor that makes billions upon billions of dollars and does nothing but sit on their butts and money re: any and all issues concerning Human interests… unless it interests themselves… I do also hope that this issue is helped out in some way or another. I would hate to see these poor animals suffer and also turn on themselves. Much hope goes out to these animals.
Elizabeth
barbara carrino
Aug 22, 2013 at 11:01 pm
This is simply terrible and they have to do something about leaving animals behind. I would impose a fine on these people. But Detroit Come On!. Get your act together. Do something for these poor pooches. Sending love from BarbieCcaresInNJ
cheryl faubert
Aug 22, 2013 at 8:33 pm
This is so sad! Are Rescue Groups able to help in any way? Come on Canada, lets rescue these poor little things from certain euthanasia!
Emma B
Aug 22, 2013 at 12:59 pm
Thank you drawing attention to this sad and terrible problem. Not only is it creating suffering for the animals, it is creating an increasing risk for public health problems. In addition to a higher chance of traffic accidents and potentially animal bites, a large population of unvaccinated dogs is more likely to become exposed to rabies from rabid skunks in the area, putting additional animals and humans at risk of exposure to the virus. Preventing growth in stray dog populations is important to protect both dogs and people.