Tar-covered dogs rescued from blistering hot N.J. roof
Animal officials rescued two dogs from a “bubbling, boiling,” tar roof in New Jersey on one of the hottest days of the year last week, according to the Associated Humane Societies-Newark.
Animal officials responded to a call Friday about a pit bull and a Yorkie that were trying frantically to avoid burning their paws on the tar roof of a Newark home, the organization said in a statement.
With temperatures reaching 96 degrees, the tar on the roof was bubbling and burning the animals as they tried in vain to protect their paws and skin.
“The Yorkie continuously ran to the edge of the roof to try to find an area that would not burn her further while the pit bull, covered in hot tar, had nearly given up hope,” the shelter said in a Facebook post.
According to the officers, while there were chicken legs and rice on the roof there was no water and the owners were not home.
Shelter officers removed the dogs from the roof and transported them to the animal hospital, where they were treated for burns and dehydration. The Yorkie was released from the hospital Tuesday and will be offered for adoption once his treatment is complete, ABC reported. A veterinary technician is fostering the pit bull, according to ABC.
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“They spent the day in scorching temperatures with no water, with their bodies being burned by hot tar,” the group said. “We cannot imagine the pain that they endured and hope that no animal will have to suffer like this again.”
The shelter noted they have seen an onslaught of animal abuse cases and asked for donations to continue their work.
According to the group, the dogs would not have survived if a concerned citizen hadn’t called and reported the situation.
“Please speak up when you see an animal suffering,” the group said. "These two dogs are alive today because someone saw them and decided to make a call instead of ignoring the situation and figuring someone else will deal with it. Animals cannot speak for themselves.”
The New Jersey Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals is leading the investigation into who owns the animals, ABC reported.
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