MIDWAY, Ga. (WSAV) – 13 puppies have been found abandoned in the Jones Creek Park and Isle of Wight Road area in Midway, according to Liberty County Animal Services.

The dogs were found between Thursday and last Friday. They are all between three and four months old and are the same breed, director Steve Marrero said.

Animal service officials were able to save eight of the puppies – two ran into the woods, one was dead on arrival and two were thrown from a bridge and drowned, according to Marrero. A dog suffered from a broken jaw after being hit by a car and was taken to the vet. Marrero told News 3 the dog is doing well.

Marrero said the department sees animal abandonments almost daily, but it’s rare to see him with so many dogs.

Patricia Durham, owner of K9 Battle Buddies in Hinesville, said a question came to her mind when a witness called to tell her what had happened.

“Why?” asked Durham. “There are so many rescues that would take these puppies. We stay full all the time. There is such a problem, people don’t spay and neuter and there are so many rescue dogs but even I could have welcomed them, reaching out to other rescues and working together.

“Honestly, I can’t find an answer as to why,” Durham said. “Myself, I could never do something like that, I don’t know what prompts them to do it.” We never get to dumpers, we only get to those who find them.

After Durham learned of the incident, she intervened to help animal services find and contain the dogs.

In the six years she has owned her rescue, Durham said she has faced a number of situations involving the dropping of pets. Under Georgian law, it is illegal to intentionally leave animals on private or public property.

Durham took to Facebook, posting articles about the incident in hopes of finding out who is responsible and holding them accountable.

“We want something to be done,” she said. “People in the communities want something to be done. The only way to make a difference is for people to speak up. “

The eight dogs that were rescued are currently being held at Liberty County Animal Services. Marrero said police and the agriculture ministry had been made aware of the incident.