Disturbing images reveal emaciated dogs that have suffered from prolonged neglect and starvation.
The Tonga Animal Society Welfare (TASW) shared the photo on Facebook, stating that the dogs’ owner was reportedly on an overseas vacation while leaving them unattended.
Kaniva News was unable to verify the authenticity of the information independently.
TASW has urged the community to contact them if they need help caring for their dogs.
The post described the dogs as “skinny,” and said that was heartbreaking.
“We have received so many call outs this week from friends of TAWS about dogs who appear to have been left at home without food and water while their families travel”, it said on Facebook.
It advised the community, “If you want your dog to keep your property safe and secure while you are away, you need to make sure somebody is feeding them”.
“If you have asked or paid someone to feed your dogs and you are concerned about them, let us know and we are happy to do a drive by and a welfare check and report back to you.
“Please be responsible pet owners and make sure you leave food and water for your dogs even if you are only travelling one or two days”.
On social media, several people said the revelation was unacceptable.
One wrote: ” Very sad and irresponsible.”
Another person wrote: ” Awwwwww they look so sad n hungry.”
“Whereabout is this property pls? Care to share? May be we can do something about it?”
TAWS describes itself on Facebook as “a not for profit organisation to help animal welfare in the Kingdom of Tonga”.
