An animal rescue volunteer came to the aid of a number of dogs on Sept. 18, that had been left stranded in the floods in North Carolina after Hurricane Florence.
Keith Benning, who works with the North Dakota-based Turtle Mountain Animal Rescue, filmed a number of dogs that had been left stranded on things like picnic tables, a car, and inside a house. Benning said on Sept. 18 that he had rescued “about 10 dogs so far.”
“All of the 10+ dogs that were rescued yesterday by Keith Benning and his rescue partners John NeeSmith and Marshall Furr are safe. They are being held in a staging area,” the non-profit stated in a Facebook post.
Most of the rescues are believed to have taken place in the Cape Fear River area.
“We believe he’s near the Cape Fear river which is set to crest tomorrow at 61.5 feet, which is 46 Feet higher than where it was two weeks ago,” the organization stated in an Instagram post.
Instagram users expressed support for Benning’s rescue efforts.
“May the powers that be bless his kindness and return it to him a hundred fold,” commented one Instagram user. “Thanks for all you’re doing! Good people do exist in this world,” said another.
Some commenters castigated the animal owners who left their pets behind. “What is the problem that people leave their pets like this ???? I’m devastated,” one of the comments read.
Turtle Mountain Animal Rescue urged people to be sparing in their criticism. “We don’t know all the circumstances of these rescues, please hold any criticisms of (people leaving their pets behind) it is likely there is more going on that just what you are seeing.”
Benning provided an update on rescue efforts.
“The problem is flooding everywhere and the water is rising. It took us 4 hours to get to a place that we were within 15 miles of. Boats are great but the roads are washed out followed by 10 miles of pavement, then it’s a washed out road, ten miles of pavement, then another washed out road, then flood.
“The biggest problem with rescuing anything here is getting to it. We had choppers over us all day rescuing people. We’re in rocky point. We’ve rescued about 10 dogs so far.”
Turtle Mountain Animal Rescue also posted a photo showing one of the rescued dogs. They said the dog had been seen by a vet and was safe, dry, and “doing much better.”
“Thanks for following. Your support saves the lives of the dogs we rescue,” said the non-profit.
Credit: Turtle Mountain Animal Rescue via Storyful
From The Epoch Times
