2 dogs abandoned on sidewalk outside Calgary Humane Society on Canada Day

The Calgary Humane Society (CHS) is appealing to the public for information after two dogs were abandoned on the sidewalk in front of the agency’s building in the southeast on Saturday.

On July 1 around 2:10 p.m., the society says a Yorkshire Terrier and a Chihuahua were abandoned in a travel crate on the sidewalk in front of Calgary Humane Society.

Two dogs were crammed into a travel crate and left on the sidewalk outside the Calgary Humane Society on Saturday, July 1, 2023. (Courtesy Calgary Humane Society)

The individual who appeared to leave the crate drove what appears to be a white Acura, which they parked on the street adjacent to the main entrance, the organization says.

Security footage shows the person hiding their face with clothing and walking the crate about halfway to the building before leaving, the group adds.

The Calgary Humane Society’s protection and investigations team is looking for identifying information on the individual.

Two dogs were crammed into a travel crate and left on the sidewalk outside the Calgary Humane Society on Saturday, July 1, 2023. (Courtesy Calgary Humane Society)

“This could have gone so badly for these dogs. CHS was closed for the statutory holiday, it was a hot day, and the dogs were crammed into a plastic carrier which tends to get very hot when exposed to direct sun as this one was,” director of operations and enforcement, Brad Nichols, said in a statement.

“Fortunately, we had some staff on hand who immediately noticed the crate and got the dogs to safety. This was an intentionally brazen act as the vehicle did not enter our parking lot, avoided cameras, and the subject concealed their face when dumping the crate.”

The Calgary Humane Society is asking the public to help identify an individual who abandoned two dogs in a travel crate on the sidewalk outside the Calgary Humane Society on Saturday, July 1, 2023. (Courtesy Calgary Humane Society)

The CHS is interested in any information on the identity of this person.

If a member of the public recognizes the dogs, the vehicle, or the subject, they are encouraged to contact the society at 403-205-4455 or via the Report Cruelty tab at www.calgaryhumane.ca.

The society emphasizes that abandonment is not an alternative to surrender, adding that doing so is a criminal act and will be treated like one.

The Calgary Humane Society is asking the public to help identify an individual who abandoned two dogs in a travel crate on the sidewalk outside the Calgary Humane Society on Saturday, July 1, 2023. (Courtesy Calgary Humane Society)

“While the demand for our services has been unprecedented coming out of the pandemic, we operate a triaged waitlist to ensure those animals at the highest risk for cruelty or suffering are admitted without delay,” Nichols said.