Dog abandoned in front of thrift store - Roanoke, VA

Sunday, Aug 15, 1999

Schnauzer's owner abandoned him along with his doghouse and food dish. The dog and his accessories were picked up about 9 a.m. Sunday by a Roanoke City animal control officer. The dog had been left in front of the Salvation Army Thrift Store on Melrose Avenue Northwest. He had been tied to a pole, and his house and a dish full of dry food had been placed nearby.

"This makes it an unusual case," said Officer M.W. Quesenberry, supervisor of Roanoke City Animal Control. "We haven't seen the full package before. It indicates the person was responsible enough to take care of the animal, but became disinterested."

Quesenberry speculated that the owner probably didn't know he could have turned the dog over to the Roanoke Valley Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals shelter on Eastern Avenue in Northwest Roanoke. The owner also probably didn't know that abandoning an animal is a Class 3 misdemeanor, which carries a maximum fine of $500.

"Unfortunately, abandonment is a pretty regular problem," Quesenberry said. "The difficult part is being able to identify the driver. People often do it after dark or early in the morning."

The dog was discovered about 9 p.m. Saturday when a 15-year old Amy Staples, who lives nearby heard him yelping. She immediately called her animal-loving aunt, Tricia Tinsley, for advice.

Sunday morning, Tinsley found the dog with food but no water in his dish. He wore a brown, studded collar with no identification and had briars matted in his coat.

Tinsley said the schnauzer seemed comfortable tied to the pole but was afraid of the leash. Still, the dog let her pet him.

"I gave him some water and saw we couldn't leave him there. It was going to be 95 degrees, "Tinsley said. "So I called Animal Control."

The schnauzer may be available for adoption through the SPCA on Aug 26. Because he wore a collar and was an abandoned pet, the city has to keep him for 10 days while they search for his owner.

So far, Quesenberry said, there are no leads.

"He'd make a nice little pet for somebody," Tinsley said.

References

• The Roanoke VA Times - Aug 20, 1999

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