AHOSKIE – Thanks to the kind heart of an Ahoskie man, six young puppies will live to see another day.

The good Samaritan, who chose not to be identified, said he was riding a back road in Hertford County earlier this week when he noticed something in the highway.

After stopping his vehicle to investigate, he discovered a half-dozen puppies huddled together in an effort to stay warm.

“I guess the sun shining down had heated the road, and these little fellows were all bunched together to try and stay warm on a cool day,” said the rescuer. “They were shaking all over…cold and hungry.”

Hours later, the pups found themselves inside the warm environment of the Powellsville Pet Clinic and in the capable hands of Dr. Cheryl Powell.

“Dr. Powell took them in and, without asking for anything in return, de-loused and de-wormed the puppies,” he said. “I just happened to be the one who found them on the road; Dr. Powell is the lifesaver in this case.”

However, if this particular person had not been on that particular road, who knows what fate these puppies faced.

“It’s sad that someone so cold-hearted just dumped these defenseless pups in the middle of a road,” he said. “They could have been eaten by a coyote, which are increasing in number in our area, or, worse, run over and killed or injured by a vehicle.”

The puppies, approximately five weeks old, will be in foster care until they are old enough to be adopted. Those looking to adopt one or more of these puppies can contact the Bertie County Humane Society at 325-3647.

In the meantime, the good Samaritan had some parting comments for pet owners.

“Take responsibility for your pets,” he closed. “A simple and inexpensive procedure will prevent unwanted litters of animals. Have your pets spayed or neutered.”