Pregnant dog caught in coyote snare still fighting, New Kent officials want answers

Editor’s Note: This article includes discussion and photos of animal cruelty. Viewer discretion is advised.

NEW KENT COUNTY, Va. (WRIC) -- A pregnant dog is still fighting to survive after officials say she was caught in a cable snare trap in New Kent County, causing her head to swell and putting her puppy at risk.

On Monday, Jan. 19, a severely injured, pregnant female dog was picked up along Eltham Road near its intersection with New Kent Highway. She was first spotted over the weekend, but was finally captured on Monday.

The dog had a metal wire wrapped around her throat “so tightly that it caused immense swelling to her head [and] disabled her ability to breathe properly," the New Kent County Sheriff's Office's Animal Protection Unit said on Facebook. The wire caused “a disgusting amount of damage," putting both her and her puppy’s lives in jeopardy.

A severely injured pregnant dog found in New Kent County. (Photo: New Kent Sheriff's Office Animal Protection Unit)

The dog, who has since been named Maude, began receiving emergency medical care on Monday, but there is quite a long road ahead of her.

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"Based on her injuries, we believe Maude may have suffered with this cable around her neck for some time," officials said in an update on Facebook. "The pain she endured is heartbreaking. Our team is doing everything possible to save her, but at this time, she is not out of the woods."

In a second update shared the evening of Tuesday, Jan. 20, animal officials said that Maude is still hospitalized at the emergency veterinarian, where she is receiving fluids, antibiotics and pain medications. Her "very large" puppy is still safe inside her at this time.

"She has not given birth yet and we are waiting to see if she goes into labor and delivers naturally or if a c-section may still be needed," animal officials said. "At this time, vets want to avoid a c-section due to her condition."

Initially, authorities said it was believed that the wire had been "intentionally placed" on Maude's neck. As of Tuesday, it's suspected she was caught in a coyote snare -- a type of trap that works like a zip-tie and tightens continuously.

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However, under Virginia law, traps like these are meant to be checked every 24 hours, animal officials said. They are also meant to have a failsafe to ensure incidents like what happened to Maude do not happen.

"This snare loop found around her neck didn’t have a break and continued to tighten to a life-threatening strain on her throat," animal officials said. "At this time, we are unsure where this trap was set, who set it, how she got in it, how she got loose from it and if there’s somebody out there who knows something."

If you know where the trap that harmed this dog came from, who her owner is or anything about what happened to her, authorities would like to hear from you, as you could potentially help secure justice for Maude. You can contact the New Kent County Sheriff’s Office’s Animal Protection Unit by calling 804-966-9500. You can also submit an anonymous tip to the Metro Richmond Crime Stoppers by calling 804-780-1000.

"Our goal is to ensure that no dog ever experiences this situation again," animal officials said.

At the time of Maude's intake, animal officials said about $10,000 would be needed in order to cover her medical expenses. As of Tuesday, that goal has been reached and then some.

"She is quite literally covered for life," animal officials said. "The support from our New Kent community, Virginia community and across America has been insane!!"

Any funds that do not need to be used for Maude's care will go towards other animals in need of emergency services. If you would like to pitch in and support New Kent's efforts to save animals like Maude, you can do so here.