UPDATE: 2:55 p.m., May 27, 2016 — The dog has been released into the care of a rescue organization and is being transported out of the Commonwealth of Virginia.

ORIGINAL ARTICLE:

Wytheville, Va. – Wythe County officials say they are presently engaged in talks with an animal rescue organization in order to save the life of a pregnant Jack Russell Terrier.

The terrier was captured on May 18, 2016, following an incident in which the dog (along with other dogs that were not captured) is said to have broken into a chicken coop and killed approximately 34 chickens.

The owner of the dog could not be identified and the dog was retained in custody at the Wythe County Dog Shelter. Due to this fact, the county could not levy charges against an individual. Had an owner been identified, pursuant to the Code of Virginia the courts would have ruled regarding the animal’s fate.

Due to the nature of the incident, the county will not allow the dog to be released to the general public within the jurisdiction of Wythe County.

County officials are working with a rescue organization that is experienced in handling incidences similar to this one in order to spare the life of the dog due to the fact that the animal is pregnant. One of the county’s conditions is that the dog must be taken out of the Commonwealth of Virginia.

Local officials wish to use this incident as an opportunity to remind all pet owners that dogs running at large is a crime and can cause serious loss to farmers and landowners.

Wythe County’s economy is largely agriculturally based and incidents such as these can have significant negative impacts upon the community.

The county’s animal control office say they believe the animal will be turned over to a rescue organization by the end of the day.

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