Tethered dog abandoned, starved
Vallejo, CA (US)

Incident Date: Wednesday, Aug 6, 2008
County: Napa

Disposition: Alleged

Abuser names unreleased

Tied to a heavy 3-foot chain and abandoned in a filthy back yard months ago, a large Rottweiler is one casualty of the housing crisis that has led to numerous evictions and foreclosures across Vallejo.

The Benicia-Vallejo Humane Society rescued the dog last Wednesday from a Maple Avenue yard. After several days of observation, the dog will either be put up for adoption or sent to the county animal shelter for more specialized services.

Animal Control Officer Brian Brisco said the humane society has responded to nearly a dozen calls in recent months for animals left behind at houses empty through foreclosure or evictions. Most of the animals are dogs, though one case he is pursuing involves four cats reportedly left behind inside a vacant house.

A new state law signed in recent days will allow animal control officers to quickly rescue abandoned pets. AB 2949 will require anyone who encounters abandoned pets to immediately call an animal control officer. Further, officers will have the right to seize it without first posting a notice.

Animal control officials also will be able to secure a lien against owners to pay for the rescue and care of the animal.

The new law goes into effect in January.

Current law requires a 24- to 48-hour posted notice. However, officers can seize an animal if the officer sees it and knows it needs immediate care, Brisco said.

Animal Control Sgt. Justine Lavalle said in some cases Vallejo owners who leave their pets behind come into the houses and care for them until they can take them to a new dwelling.

"I've had a couple where the person doesn't come back and we've had to remove the dogs," Lavalle said. In one case, a pit bull was left caged in a yard with no water, food or shade. Her crew rescued it immediately on a very hot day, she said.

After the renters of the Maple Avenue house were evicted, they left the large Rottweiler tied to a stake. A large chain with two padlocks weighing at least 10 pounds served as his collar, Brisco said.

The rest of the chain was only three feet long and, if there had been any food or water in the dog's bowls, it could not have reached them, Brisco said. Because the chain was so short, the dog had to lay in his own urine and feces.

Neighbors told officers the dog had been in that condition for several months.

The Rottweiler was very thin, aggressive and wary when rescued, and once in the shelter's care, drank a lot of water and ate greedily, Brisco said.

The dog appeared more friendly Friday afternoon, wagging its tail when people approached its cage and licking hands extended through the bars.

The Humane Society is trying to find the Maple Avenue renters and the owner, who lives in Montana. If Brisco can find the dog's owner, he said he will pursue an animal cruelty case for neglect, unlawful tethering and mistreatment.

The society encourages anyone who can no longer care for a pet to contact its office.

"Animals don't need to be put in that situation," Brisco said. "The (owners) need to call us and surrender the animal to us rather than leaving it there where it will probably end up dying."

References

• Times-Herald - Aug 11, 2008

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