WATERVILLE (AP) — Two dogs are recovering after they were left at a Maine animal shelter with their mouths full of porcupine quills.

The Humane Society Waterville Area shelter says the dogs, a Great Dane and a terrier, were found with a note Wednesday morning saying, “Couldn’t afford them. Family is extremely heartbroken.”

The dogs were taken to New England Animal Hospital, where the quills were removed. Shelter operations manager Pam Nichols told the Morning Sentinel (http://bit.ly/1lblVgP) both dogs have been running high temperatures and have been given antibiotics.

The shelter is looking for donations. The dogs also have tapeworms and must be neutered.

The shelter said the dogs will be put up for adoption, but the owner must sign the surrender papers. It said there will be “no judgment or punishment.”

filed under: