Parking lot pups: 9 dogs rescued, 1 still on the loose after getting dumped in Stuart

STUART, Fla. (CBS12) — After multiple dogs were left abandoned and forced to fend for themselves in Stuart, the sheriff's office is looking for the person responsible for dumping them.

The Martin County Sheriff's Office (MCSO) said Animal Services officers and a good Samaritan were able to rescue multiple dogs believed to have been dumped in a wooded area on Ault and Cove Road. In total, nine of the animals, mostly female were safely taken into care, with one still on the loose.

The one still on the loose has been spotted but eluded capture, too frightened to be caught. The search is still on for the dog and any others that might have been dumped in the area.

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The dogs are a Lhasa Apso breed, mostly females with some males, ages four months to four years old, the sheriff's office said. Besides the dogs' urine burns due to matting and filth, they are doing well thanks to the Humane Society of the Treasure Coast.

Photos taken by the sheriff's office show the poor condition the small dogs were found.

Unfortunately, the dogs will not be up for adoption until the sheriff's office says the criminal investigation is complete.

The sheriff's office is looking to account for just how many were abandoned and needs the public's help.

If you have any information on who may have done this, or you saw one roaming and took custody of it, please call MCSO at 722-220-7060.