SAN ANTONIO — Nine puppies were found abandoned in Phil Hardberger Park Saturday morning.
Around 6:45 am, Jennifer De Los Reyes along with her running group came across the puppies at the dog park. San Antonio Park police officers were already there by the time De Los Reyes had arrived.
"We just kind of were helping them initially keep people from trying to enter the large Dog Park, as they were getting resources and water for the puppies," she said. "They were trying to get what they could to really at least get them to warm up because at first they [the puppies] would just bark at anybody who came near."
For De Los Reyes, seeing these puppies was heartbreaking.
"These puppies, they looked healthy, and they were very scared," De Los Reyes said. "They were frightened, just barking at anybody that came near. They were moving in a pack, and they didn't want to leave each other, very protective of each other, which just made the entire situation so much sadder because I don't think they knew why they were in that situation."
De Los Reyes explained that park authorities closed the dog park at Hardberger, keeping the puppies within the fence, as they all looked to find a place to take them.
"We called so many rescues and not to any fault of their own," she said. Everybody was at capacity and they could not take them."
Animal dumping is illegal in San Antonio. The puppies were eventually picked up by Animal Care Services, who told KENS 5 the puppies are about two and a half months old, are healthy, and will be safe in their care. For De Los Reyes, seeing the puppies abandoned at the park, is something that's going to stick.
"To see it this intentional, that that was rough," she said. "Just a pile of kibble in a dog park, and nine puppies. I just again, would plead if you have room in your home for one of these beautiful, adorable, sweet, loving puppies, please open your doors to it. They I think they could use all the love in the world right now.”
Animal Care Services told KENS 5, they are currently trying to determine the animals have an owner. If you wish to adopt any of the puppies, contact ACS.