Rescue responds after dozens of chihuahuas were abandoned roadside in St. Johns County

SAFE Pet Rescue and SMART teamed up to recover 19 of an estimated 30 chihuahuas after they were discovered along CR 204.

ST. JOHNS COUNTY, Fla. — Dozens of chihuahuas were abandoned and left by the side of a road in South St. Johns County, but fortunately two rescue agencies were able to save most of the dogs and are now looking for homes for them.

SMART Flagler took 14 of the dogs to Flagler County while another four were taken to SAFE Pet Rescue in Treasure Beach, where they are getting care and already have folks interested in them when clearly, whoever left them on the side of the road wasn’t.

“I received a phone call from a friend,” said Crystal DeSantiago with SAFE. “My daughters and I jumped out of bed.”

DeSantiago with SAFE Pet Rescue says she started driving down to County Road 204 after she got that surprise call in the middle of the night.

“There were chihuahuas just everywhere,” said DeSantiago.

DeSantiago estimates there were 30 chihuahuas in total.

After recovering the first 18, SMART laid traps along CR 204 to try to catch the ones they believe are still in the woods in the area.

“Some of them had sores, some of them were covered in feces, some were older like this girl,” said DeSantiago while holding a chihuahua. “It just seemed like a situation that got way out of control.”

DeSantiago says several were already dead by the time rescuers got there, including one she found in the middle of the road.

“With the economy how it is, it seems like everybody is dumping dogs everywhere,” said DeSantiago.

A week before the chihuahua call, SAFE made a trip to Interlachen to rescue 13 doodle mixes.

“Somebody was overwhelmed, they were a backyard breeder,” said DeSantiago. “The animals were emaciated, they were covered in fleas. They looked like rugs.”

 DeSantiago and the rest of the team treated, groomed and started adopting out the doodle mixes.

 In fact, one named Stevie was being adopted while First Coast News was at the rescue.

“I think every dog deserves a good home,” said Pam Shore while holding her new dog. “Especially there situation, it’s horrific.”

The St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office says there’s an active investigation, and they don’t have information on the suspect who dumped the dogs.

If you’re interested in a chihuahua or a doodle mix, you can reach out to SAFE Pet Rescue in Treasure Beach.

You can also find more information on the rescue by visiting SMART Flagler.