Pet rescue agencies, Hollister Animal Control and employees of John Smith Road Landfill have all noticed that many more animals than usual being dumped at the landfill in recent months.
Some say it comes back to the spike in foreclosed homes.
"All the foreclosures are resulting in pets being dumped out there," said Vivian Kennedy of the animal rescue agency All Creatures Great and Small.
"It is just awful," she continued. "People need to be responsible with their pets, and especially when they can no longer care for them."
John Stewart, manager of the John Smith Landfill, agreed and said people tend to think it's OK to drop off items at there when they don't want to be responsible for them anymore.
"People dump them in front of the gate, figuring it is OK to leave a dog with your garbage," he said.
Arturo Coral, an employee at the landfill, had a dog that had been dumped that day in the office when contacted by the Free Lance.
"We get them all the time," he said. "We've had five or six kittens recently and three dogs. Two of them were puppies."
Lt. Roy Iler of the San Benito County Sheriff's Office, had some words of warning for folks who think a landfill is a good spot for pet drop-offs
"You would be facing a charge of animal cruelty," he said, "and that is a felony that can carry state prison time."
Anyone who would like information on a proper place to drop off animals, many of which are picked up by local rescue agencies, can call San Benito Animal control at (831) 636-4320.
Jeff Gatlin Jeff Gatlin is a staff writer at The Hollister Free Lance. You can call him at (831) 637-5566 or send him an email.
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