First appearance on Fox: Animal rights groups are calling on the Biden administration to address the large number of abandoned pets at the southern border.
Fox News Digital obtained photos and videos from the animal advocacy group Boots on the Ground of pets allegedly abandoned by migrants in Colony Ridge, Texas, some with severe neglect and injuries. This included pets that appeared to be.
Animals are being abandoned at the U.S.-Mexico border as record numbers of illegal immigrants flood into Mexico.
Immigrants apprehended by Customs and Border Protection (CBP) are often forced to leave their animals behind because they are prohibited from bringing them into the country. federal processing center.
As migrants cross borders in historic numbers, their dogs are often left behind along the way.
Immigration processing will take place on December 12, 2023 in Eagle Pass, Texas. (Fox News)
Chase Scott, a spokesperson for the dog rescue group Big Dog Ranch Rescue (BDRR), told Fox News Digital that the number of abandoned dogs along the border is in the “thousands” and that the Biden administration is not addressing the issue. “Virtually nothing has been done” to address the issue, he said. situation.
Scott said BDRR “can lead this effort,” but needs “donations or support from FEMA to address this issue.” He called on FEMA to “provide more than a dozen sterilization surgeries.” [and] It provides “neuter vans to prevent overpopulation” and “transportation and medical supplies” so dogs can be “healed, rescued and placed into loving homes.”
“We need to act now before it gets completely out of control,” Scott said.
“Colony Ridge is a huge immigrant slum where starving dogs try to eat chickens and livestock. Immigrants shoot the dogs and attack them with machetes. The local community is grieving and overwhelmed. It is turning into three worlds.” [country] With a pack of roaming dogs. ”
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After visiting the Texas border city of Eagle Pass last year, BDRR is heading to McAllen, Texas, on an abandoned dog rescue mission this weekend, Scott said.
Scott said the dogs in McAllen, Texas, are being “fed” by the National Guard, but “the situation is dire due to the cold front,” and BDRR will first rescue the local dogs.
After Mr. McCullen, Mr. Scott said BDRR would go to “key areas with the biggest problems,” adding, “Ground zero is Colony Ridge.”
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Bianca Gracia, president of Latinos for America, Latinos for Trump, told Fox News Digital, “What is happening to the abandoned, abused and mute dogs at Colony Ridge is… “This is a tragedy caused by the open borders policies of our elected officials.”
“We are calling on America to step up and save our silent furry friends from a life they did not choose.”
Animal rights group People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) told Fox News Digital that it has received reports that dogs and cats are not the only animals being abandoned. Animals such as guinea pigs are also left alone.
Warning: Graphic images
PETA spokeswoman Katie Cryer told Fox News Digital that abandonment is “a terrible thing no matter which side of the border it happens on.”
“PETA has received reports of a variety of animals, including guinea pigs and small dogs, being brought into the United States by people entering the United States from Mexico, but we are aware that border processing facilities do not allow them. ,” Cryer said.
“We are also hearing about informal networks of people on the Mexican side who are caring for animals that have been refused entry,” she added. “Many animals are valued family members and, like children, should not be separated from their families.
“PETA is calling on the Biden administration to allow animals that have been vaccinated or can be quarantined into the United States.”
When asked for comment, the White House referred Fox News Digital to U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP).
“CBP follows guidance from the CDC regarding the entry of dogs and other pets into the country,” a CBP spokesperson said. “If the pet owner is a noncitizen in DHS custody and the animal owner does not transfer ownership to a family member or friend, U.S. Customs and Border Protection will contact local officials from animal health services, such as a local humane shelter, to Work together to find out if the animal shelter has an animal shelter where you can house the animal while the owner is in custody.”
Fox News Digital has also reached out to FEMA and the National Guard for comment.
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Shocking photos and footage obtained by Fox News Digital show the harsh reality faced by dogs and other animals abandoned by their owners when entering the United States at the southern border.
This video depicts abandoned animals in immigrant communities. colony ridge, texas, A collection of parcels in the suburbs of Houston.
Colony Ridge is a controversial place; sued by the federal government Suspected of tricking Latino buyers into seller-financed mortgages and causing them to default on their loans.
Colony Ridge CEO John Harris told Fox News Digital: “Colony Ridge has done everything possible to eliminate the problem of stray dogs, cats and stray animals throughout our community.” issued a statement.
“We continue to contribute $20,000 a year to local organizations that help spay, neuter and house animals to help solve the problem,” Harris said. “So we are definitely doing our part.”
Harris said that Liberty County, where Colony Ridge is located, is “rural” with no animal control groups, and that “in any rural county in America, especially here in Texas, it's hard to keep stray dogs, cats, and other animals.” It will be.”
“That's just a fact,” Harris said. “But we are doing everything we can to contain the problem.”
Harris also said that “90 percent” of Colony Ridge residents are “from Harris County,” 40 miles to the south.
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“The animal problem is not an immigration problem. It's a problem caused by bad owners who need to understand how to take care of their animals,” Harris said. “We are providing education and doing more than what is needed to solve this problem.”
The Colony Ridge Area Property Owners Association told Fox News Digital that the nonprofit group This Is Houston has been supporting the new development since 2021 because there are no animal control services in Liberty County. Ta.
