Why do people dump their dogs?

Lucky Pup Needs Home

Lucky Pup Needs Home

Wednesday, November 23, 2011

What prompted her abandonment is unknown. She appears to have had a home. She likes people and wants to play. But for some reason she is just sitting beside the road at the north-side entrance to Siloam Springs City Lake, left with her chew toy, a partial but now-empty bag of dog food, a bowl of water and a small rug. It’s as if she is waiting for her owners to return, but no one comes.

She sits there on the now-empty dog food bag, afraid and shivering. She appears to be starving - at least her rib bones, back and pelvis are clearly visible. Mrs. Griz and I drive by and feel sorry for the poor pup but have no place for her. Mrs. Griz leaves her a sandwich, which the pup quickly devours.

I call Benton County dispatch for animal control. It’s Saturday afternoon and no one picks up animals over the weekend. Others had called too and reported the same young dog along the roadside. She was on the list and would be picked up as soon as possible.

Sunday comes and rain is in the forecast. We feel guilty for leaving the pitiable pup there the daybefore and we wonder if someone was sent to pick up the poor animal and decide to drive back and see. The air is becoming damp with mist. Rains are coming.

We return and think she is gone, but there she is, curled up and motionless on a small rug. We think she might have died or been killed, but she raises her head and looks at us with sad eyes.

We stop and she remembers my wife and the sandwich and comes to the car window. I get out to check on her, but she hides in fear. Mrs. Griz opens the door and in the pup jumps and sits at my wife’s feet.

She’s out of the rain. She has food, water and shelter and she wants to romp and play. She has a few less ticks and could really use a bath after her roadside experience. She’s really fond ofmy wife and tries to follow her everywhere.

But we won’t be able to keep her. We have no place for her.

Do we call the city? After all, we picked her up in the county at the City Lake. Do we call the county? She’s in the city now. And if she goes to the pound, will anyone claim her? She’s young and friendly, but it’s hard to say if anyone will want her.

Monday morning arrives and I tell county dispatch we picked up the dog. Dispatch passes on the updated information to the county animal control officer - only one officer to cover all of Benton County, so I understand the need for days off. He calls shortly after and arrives within 30 minutes to pick up the young pup.

He says he’s been picking up a lot of dogs that arenothing but skin and bone. People get a puppy and think it will make a great pet but then, when money gets tight, they can’t afford to feed it, he says.

I don’t understand how people can just dump their pets, leaving them out to die or be killed.

This dog is in a shelter now. The former owners - if they can be found - could be prosecuted.

The rescued pup needs a home, some nourishment and some tender, loving care or all may be for naught. She may have had that once. It certainly appears so. But why she was abandoned to die we just don’t know.

Should anyone care to see this pup or adopt it, they can contact the Benton County Humane Society in Rogers at 479-636-3703.

The shelter, according toits website, is able to place about 40 percent of the animals taken in. The rest are euthanized. Sad, but I understand why it has to be that way.

Forty percent is better than zero. Although the rescued pup isn’t on a wooded roadside cold, hungry and starving, she isn’t out of the woods yet, either.

Randy Moll is the managing editor of the Westside Eagle Observer. He may be reached by email at rmoll@ nwaonline.com.

Opinion, Pages 6 on 11/23/2011