Two severely neglected young dogs discovered in a remote area of the Tilbury Industrial Park are now being cared for by staff at the Delta Community Animal Shelter.

Last week, a couple out for a walk noticed a pair of pit bulls tied to a tree near the end of a trail. The couple came to the animal shelter to report the dogs after seeing the animals still there the following day.

Both dogs were severely emaciated and suffering from neglect, said shelter manager Sarah Lowe, noting nobody has come forward looking for them.

"We're still investigating and we did have the police go down and check to see if there was a transient person living there, but there was no trace of that. It doesn't seem likely they were left there for someone to find because it is a very isolated area of the park not too many people use, so they could have starved even longer. They're emaciated, in really horrible condition," she said.

Staff at the 80th Street shelter named the non-neutered males Beach and Fisher. Both dogs are estimated to be three to four years old.

"All the animals that come down to the shelter get a name right away, they deserve that dignity," Lowe said.

She said in addition to being starved and severely underweight, both dogs are suffering from medical problems as a result of the neglect.

She said whoever owned the dogs could be facing animal cruelty charges. The SPCA and other agencies have been notified in case someone can identify them.

It's not clear at this point what circumstances the dogs came from, but unimaginable scenarios, such as being used as bait for illegal pit bull fight training, are grim possibilities.

Saying the long-term goal is to have the dogs available for adoption, Lowe noted both were scared when they arrived at the shelter, but quickly warmed to staff and are friendly, despite what they have gone through.

"They've got a long road ahead of them to be cleared, at least a month before we can even think about neutering them. Once they're healthy, we will consider placement for them," she said.

"They are very affectionate. They act like puppies. They jump six feet in the air and are so happy to see you."

The shelter welcomes donation to help fund the rehabilitation and care of Beach and Fisher. For more information or to contact the shelter, visit www.deltacommunityanimalshelter.ca.