Two dogs were rescued after they were left all day on a “boiling, bubbling tar roof” on one of the hottest days of the year.
The two animals were saved by the Associated Humane Popcorn Park Shelter in Newark after the organization received a call from a concerned passer-by who said the animals were “severely distress” in 96 degree heat.
The pit bull and yorkshire terrier were “frantically ‘dancing’ on the roof in an attempt to stop their feet from burning", according to the shelter.
The owners were not in the residence.
They had left chicken legs and rice on the roof but no water was in sight.
“The yorkie continuously ran to the edge of the roof to try to find an area that would not burn her further while the pit bull, covered in hot tar, had nearly given up hope,” the shelter said in a Facebook post.
They added that it appeared that the dogs usually lived on the roof as it was covered in faeces.
The dogs were taken for emergency medical care. The organization has asked the public to contribute to the cost of the treatment for extensive burns.
“We have received an update from the veterinary hospital and we can say that both dogs are resting comfortably and are no longer in any pain,” they said in an update on Facebook.
Social media users said the story was “heartbreaking”.
“How can people be so cruel?” asked Evelyn Bohm.
“Disgusting,” commented Joyce Urode.
The organization responded to complaints about the animals’ owners, saying it is “very obvious that this is outright animal cruelty, abuse and neglect”.
New Jersey law enforcement agencies are reportedly investigating the incident.
