Dog beaten, left to die in trash
Garden City, KS (US)Incident Date: Thursday, Apr 3, 2008
County: Finney
Disposition: Open
Suspect(s) Unknown - We need your help!
A dog, a 1-year-old Pekingese found in a Dumpster on April 3, did not survive. The dog was barely alive when it was found and was taken to the Garden City Veterinary Clinic, where it was assumed it had been struck by a car and then tossed in the Dumpster.
"I think whoever hit it, panicked -- thought it was dead and threw it in the trash," Danna Jones, volunteer of the Finney County Humane Society said. "I think the dog would have survived from its injuries if it hadn't been thrown in the Dumpster."
She said the dog, battered and bruised, had gone into shock and did not recuperate. It died that night.
According to state law, intentionally abandoning or leaving any animal in any place without proper provisions for its care constitutes animal cruelty. If a person is convicted of the offense, he or she could face a minimum of 30 days in jail and at least a $500 fine. For subsequent offenses, a person could be convicted of a felony and serve at least five days in jail.
Jones said she did not know if the Pekingese was a stray, if a stranger beat it and then threw it in the Dumpster or if the owner was responsible. In any case, she said the suffering the dog experienced made her sick to her stomach.
"It was a beautiful dog," Jones said. "(When it was found) The coat was filthy and covered in leaves and debris. It makes me think it had been abused for some time and then thrown in the Dumpster."
Lehman said the disposal of animals in Dumpsters is an issue, especially during the summertime. He said his department has received complaints because of an odor coming from a Dumpster.
Lehman said when employees find dead animals in Dumpsters, they are required to report it to law enforcement. He said employees typically call an animal control officer who removes the animal and disposes of it.
"I think part of it is ignorance," Jones said. "People don't know how to properly dispose of a dead animal."
Residents have several options when it comes to disposing of animals.
They can call an animal control officer, go to a crematorium or ask their veterinarian if their office has the means of disposing of animals.
"An owner should be responsible and do the right thing. Take your pet to a vet and euthanize it," Jones said. "Don't toss it in the trash and make it suffer. Don't leave it to die in a cold Dumpster." References
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