VIDALIA — Less than one week after clinging to life on top of a beam in a crate sitting above the Mississippi River, the two blue heeler dogs rescued by the Vidalia Police Department have a new home and new owners who are going to use them to their full potential.

VPD Animal Control Officer Dwayne Thomas said the department was flooded with calls from potential adopters Wednesday, and by noon the two animals were gone.

“We had about five or six interested parties calling us, the first one at 7:30 a.m.,” he said. “We were very thankful to see that interest in these dogs.”

Thomas said the dogs wound up being adopted into the best home possible for them, a cattle farm in Tensas Parish.

“Blue heelers are cattle herding dogs,” he said. “The new owners already have a couple of heelers, and these two will be able to jump in with them and start helping herd.”

Thomas said the two dogs were excited to leave their kennel near the VPD to be with their new owners.

“The older dog was friendly the entire time she was in our custody, and even more so when the new owners got there,” he said. “The younger one had to settle down, but by the time he was adopted, he was ready to go.”

Thomas said the VPD was sad to see the animals leave, but glad to know they were going to a good home.

At approximately 1:40 a.m. Saturday, VPD officers noticed what appeared to be a dog crate sitting 12 feet below the Mississippi River bridge resting on a bridge beam.

According to reports from the VPD, the officers then called for assistance and were later joined by three others.

The group of officers was able to reach the crate and hoist it back up on the bridge, finding two dogs inside.

Upon first inspection of the dogs, the officers noted that they appeared dehydrated and terrified.

Thomas said the dogs were taken back to the VPD kennel and later checked by a veterinarian, where they were found to be fine.

Thomas said officers believe someone was trying to throw the crate of dogs into the river to get rid of them, but didn’t get the crate out far enough.

VPD Public Information Officer Miranda Clifton said the department still doesn’t have any information on the incident.

“We are hoping that someone saw something on the bridge, or hope someone will come forth if they know who the owners were,” she said. “That is really the only way we are going to be able to catch the people that did this.”

VPD investigators were unable to find any evidence of the incident using video footage from Mississippi Department of Transportation video cameras placed on the bridge.

Anyone with any information regarding the incident can contact the VPD at 318-336-5254.