Redland, Florida a dumping ground for unwanted dogs

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Elizabeth, an American Bulldog rescued by Redland Rock Pit Abandoned Dog Project
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Redland, Florida is described as an area of many farms, and a mecca for agriculturists, botanists, and naturalists from around the world. The area is so wildlife friendly, it has been designated as a Wild Bird Sanctuary. But for all its natural beauty, there is a sinister side to Redland. Heartbreaking acts of cruelty to “man’s best friend” are committed daily; cruelty that is beyond comprehension.  There in the heart of the area, unwanted pets are dumped and abandoned to fend for themselves.

Rocky, abandoned in Redland

For years, individuals have driven to the secluded areas and thrown dogs and cats from their vehicles like unwanted garbage.  Oftentimes, the dogs run after the car until they can’t run any further and drop from exhaustion.  These poor animals, domesticated and used to home life are now sharing the terrain with wild animals including alligators, snakes, spiders, insects and countless other predators. With no source of food, they don’t stand a chance for survival.

Countless dogs are left roaming the area, unattended, struggling to survive. The dogs that are not killed by traffic are poisoned, injured or shot by local workers and residents who don’t want them in their neighborhood. Many of the dogs starve to death or become infested with parasites, mosquito bites, and diseases which lead to their deaths. According to Redland Rock Pit Abandoned Dog Project, there are hundreds, maybe thousands of abandoned dogs inhabiting the area.

Redland Rock Pit Abandoned Dog Project, an official 501(c)3, was formed in 2015 by Ale Ochoa and five of her friends.  Ale Ochoa had heard that Redland had become a dumping ground for dogs. When she drove out there to see for herself, she was shocked to see sick, injured, and malnourished dogs everywhere. She and her friends began feeding the dogs every day. They set up a Facebook page in hopes that Miami Dade County Animal Services would get involved. Unfortunately, they did not take the situation seriously.

However, rescues from other areas answered the call for help and responded to Redland. Twenty volunteers from rescue organizations in Brevard County joined Ochoa and her friends in Redland and saved the lives of 23 dogs. Volunteers from nonprofit organizations across Florida have rescued more than 130 strays from Redland and relocated them to cities like Orlando and Tampa, Florida. Rescuers from Brevard County also collected more than $20,000.00 in donations to feed, vaccinate and care for the dogs that were rescued.

That was in 2015, but today in 2017 hundreds of dogs are still being dumped in the Redland area. They continue to face threats of injury, illness, disease, getting hit by cars, and becoming victims of dog fighting. Various rescue groups have tried to help. They have compiled countless haunting photos and videos of dogs; all shapes and sizes, sickly and undernourished sharing bowls of food put out by Redland Rock Pit Abandoned Dog Project. The dogs are friendly, though many are frightened and run from the rescuers.

The main question is; why isn’t more being done by government agencies such as Miami Dade Animal Services to help these dogs and to eliminate the problem? Why is the responsibility on nonprofit rescue groups such as Redland Rock Pit Abandoned Dog Project? The goals of Redland Rock Pit Abandoned Dog Project area are simple; to educate the public on the appropriate care of dogs, feeding and providing emergency care for abandoned and free roaming dogs while safely capturing and transferring dogs to reputable non-profit rescue organizations for re-homing, and to raise awareness for the plight of free roaming dogs in Miami-Dade County Florida.

Donations are very much needed to remove abandoned dogs from the dangers they are threatened with and give these terrified animals the safety they deserve so they can live and know full, happy lives. While many lives have been saved in the Redland, many are still being lost.

To learn more about or to donate to Redland Rock Pit Abandoned Dog Project visit their website:

There is also a YouTube video describing  the ongoing tragedy in Redland and the valiant efforts of rescue groups and concerned citizens to save these animals.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


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16 COMMENTS

  1. ANYONE, and I mean ANYONE who would dump an animal to fend for itself is the lowest of the low with the morality of a maggot. The Miami Dade Animal Services sure is not doing one bit of service for these innocent animals – and that too shows the lack of humanity of this so called ‘animal service’ cause they sure aren’t giving these animals any service whatsoever. I applaud Ale Ochoa for coming to the rescue of these poor animals since Miami Dade sure isn’t doing one thing for them. This infuriates me on so many levels first for the lazy losers who dump them, second due to the lackadaisical attitude of Miami Dade for doing nothing to help. This sure doesn’t say much for Redland, Fla.

  2. How about setting up a camera system to catch them doing it then go after them with your proof ? I know it would be expensive but if it puts a stop to the atrocious behavior

  3. This is just HORRIBLE!!!! There needs to be some sort of surveilance out there so that these people can be caught and put in Jail!!!

  4. Animals are dumped EVERYWHERE not just Redland,fla!!!!I seriously HATE people who do this for any reason.I KNOW..becuz pets were constantly dumped on a wooded property i owned surrounding my home,AS WELL AS IN MY YARD!Too many idiots taking the easy way out of responsibilty!!!

  5. Until the PATHETIC SOUTHERN STATES do some positive changes to their animal protection laws, NOTHING will change. PEOPLE have to be chastised for their heinous behaviors or they do NOT change. There really is NO QUESTION as to who the real “animals” are!

    • Because the northern states are so full of caring people that they never abandon or neglect a dog? Give me a $&*!#*&% break you conceited idiot.

      • Northern states do not have the rampant horrific neglect,abandonment and abuse of dogs and cats like the Southern states do!!! Do a little research…. it’s a sickening fact!!!

    • There is t as big of a problem up north because when those dogs get dumped somewhere they end up dying from the cold vs here having at least a little more chance since it doesn’t freeze….. ????

  6. WOW! So appalling!! I wouldn’t want MDAS involved for they have only one goal……collect and eliminate via of euthanasia all unwanted,homeless dogs! I abhor and loathe ALL KILL SHELTERS! The dumping,abuse and neglect of innocent dogs is a national shame that this country seems to care less about! HEARTBREAKING

  7. I have a suggestion in Texas they had the same problem with a certain area so the local authorities took it upon themselves to put cameras in trees to get licenses car colors any information they could about the dogs being dumped in the specific area. It is helping them because now they are finding and charging the people who just throw their dogs or cats away like trash. They said it also helps with finding the abandoned animals much faster for their safety. I think it’s heartbreaking breaking, I will never understand why people can’t keep their animals for life and if they can’t why they feel dumping them in the woods is better then a shelter. At least at the shelter the don’t starve, suffer and have a chance at finding someone who will keep them for life. I understand not all dogs and cats get out of shelters but to die by suffering in any way is to me worse then being put to sleep. Neither is a good way to die but one is a lesser evil then the other. Thank you to all who are helping.

    • Good post, good points. Thank you. I just recently read about the Redlands and found it so disgusting I could barely sleep for two nights. We have to find a way to stop dumping here and anywhere else it’s done. People that do this are disgusting and vile with no compassion. Spay and neuter, stop breeding them, and if you can’t care for one for it’s entire life, DON’T GET ONE.

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