Dog abandoned
Hamilton, ON (CA)Date: Feb 11, 2005
Disposition: Open
Suspect(s) Unknown - We need your help!
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A female British Bulldog, estimated to be between six and seven years of age, the Bulldog was left in the parking lot of the Hamilton-Burlington SPCA on Dartnall Road on Feb. 11.
Ms. Jamieson and Glorina White, program manager of adoptions and animal care at the SPCA, witnessed the incident from the shelter's lunch room. The two women spotted a new-looking gold-coloured pick-up truck pull into the parking lot around 10:30 a.m.
"We were admiring the truck and wondering what the gentleman was doing because he was going back and forth and usually when we see that we'll make an attempt to go to the door because the (animal control) hours of operation are (noon) to 7:30 p.m.," said Ms. Jamieson, who noted staff would have let the man in had he come to the front door. The side door entrance to the SPCA was open at the time.
Ms. Jamieson said the truck drove to the south side of the parking lot at which point the man got out and removed something from the rear passenger-side of the cab.
Thinking a cat was being dumped, Ms. Jamieson said she hurried outside and found the dog.
"I saw her behind a truck just standing there not knowing what to do, which isn't uncommon for a dog that's been dumped," Ms. Jamieson said. "I picked up the little girl and brought her in."
Ms. Jamieson was appalled that the dog, which they later named Paige, was dumped off in such an uncaring manner.
"They didn't want to take that few minutes (to bring the dog into the shelter)," Ms. Jamieson said. "What if she'd been hit in the parking lot by a car?"
Ms. White said she was shocked and disgusted by the incident.
"He made no attempt to bring it in," she said. "If we had not seen that (the dog) might have crouched or hidden under a car for the day."
Ms. White said the short-haired dog would not have lasted long outside on a cold winter day.
She said the truck sped away before they could get a complete license plate number.
If identified, Ms. Jamieson said the driver of the truck could face animal cruelty-related charges.
While cold, dazed and frightened, the dog began to warm up to SPCA and animal control staff after a short time inside, Ms. Jamieson said.
The animal also showed signs of neglect.
"Her ears were extremely crusty," Ms. Jamieson said. "So thick to the point where it's probably doing something to her hearing."
The dog was about three kilograms (six pounds) under weight.
"You can clearly see the ribs and the spine in her back," Ms. Jamieson said.
Page has seen a vet and is being treated for her ear infection. She has also been de-wormed, treated for fleas and will be micro-chipped.
Further veterinary care will be up to whoever adopts the dog, Ms. Jamieson noted. At press time she was eating well and appeared to be very comfortable.
"She's been doing everything okay," Ms. Jamieson said. "There are no other obvious problems to us at this point."
Due to the dog's age and evidence of neglect, Page will require special care, Ms. Jamieson said.
Before being put up for adoption, the dog was held by animal control for 72 hours as required in case someone should come forward to claim the dog.
Ms. Jamieson said the Page was not wearing any identification and there had been no reports to the SPCA of a missing bulldog. References« Back to Search Results Note: Classifications and other fields should not be used to determine what specific charges the suspect is facing or was convicted of - they are for research and statistical purposes only. The case report and subsequent updates outline the specific charges. Charges referenced in the original case report may be modified throughout the course of the investigation or trial, so case updates, when available, should always be considered the most accurate reflection of charges. For more information regarding classifications and usage of this database, please visit the database notes and disclaimer.
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