Dog dumped at Calgary Humane Society, officers looking for information
Posted Dec 14, 2021 11:46 am.
Last Updated Dec 14, 2021 11:47 am.
A concerning case of neglect has the Calgary Humane Society looking for someone responsible.
On Monday afternoon, a pregnant three-year-old Boxer cross was found tied to a pole and standing in the snow outside the shelter.
Surveillance footage shows a person bringing the dog to the area and tying it up, before running away without alerting anyone.
Fortunately, staff were able to spot it and went out to help although she was already suffering some effects of the cold and clearly in distress.
A Peace Officer collects a dog that was abandoned outside the Calgary Humane Society’s shelter. The dog was tied to a wooden pole outside the building. (CREDIT: The Humane Society)
“Watching the video of the individual running away and the dog trying to follow is heartbreaking,” said Director of Operations and Enforcement Brad Nichols.
“It was relatively cold yesterday, with the windchill it was down around -10, the dog was having to stand in the snow, couldn’t get away, didn’t have adequate shelter. So, there was welfare issues there as well.”
Screenshots from the footage catch a glimpse of the person, and if you have any information contact the Humane Society.
Presently, the dog is doing well and recovering from the situation while adapting to a new environment within the shelter.
Nichols said there is no excuse for abandoning an animal like this, and if the owner went inside and asked for help the staff would have assisted.
“This dog would have been admitted as a result, and wouldn’t have had to be tied to that pole and wait for the time that it did to be found. Probably pretty traumatic for the dog to watch the owner run away like that,” he said.
If the owner is found, they could face significant penalties such as fines ranging up to $20,000 and a lifetime ban from owning animals.
Anyone with information about the dog, its owner, or the vehicle in the CCTV images can contact Calgary Humane Society’s Protection and Investigations department at 403-205-4455 or online.
