More than 50 animals found tethered to trees in Palm Beach County as Irma approaches. [View all]

[MoonRiver]

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. -- Officials are calling it animal cruelty like they've never seen before.

As Hurricane Irma’s outer bands inch closer to Palm Beach County, animal control officers said they are hustling to rescue abandoned animals.
And these aren't pets who are just being left inside, Director of Animal Care Diane Suave said.

“They are left in a yard, in a pen they cannot escape from or tethered to trees or poles,” she said.

Palm Beach County Animal Care reports animal control officers have rescued 49 dogs and two cats in the last 48 hours.

http://www.wptv.com/weather/hurricane/more-than-50-animals-found-tethered-to-trees-in-palm-beach-county-as-irma-approaches