UPDATE: According to the City of Greenville, NC, the male Siberian Husky was rescued the morning of August 28, 2011 by police and animal control on their fifth visit out to check on the dog. He is now in an undisclosed location and city officials will not be pressing charges. North Carolina laws state the owners did nothing illegal and the dog, named Flint, will most likely be returned to the owners.
Despite all the advice from experts, city officials and reporters, a family in Greenville, NC evacuated their property before Hurricane Irene made landfall, leaving behind their family pet: outside and unprotected.
On August 27, 2011 during the height of Hurricane Irene, a photograph of an abandoned dog was posted on the Dogs Deserve Better Facebook page. Immediately, animal advocates across the globe sprung into action to help save the dog from the severe weather. The photograph depicts the dog sitting on top of his small igloo-type house, in an open, metal cage, located in what appears to be the backyard. It is raining and the photograph shows a downed tree limb crushing part of his kennel.
A neighbor snapped the photo and called local animal control for help. Animal control responded to the scene but determined the dog was “safe” because he had food, water and shelter.
Animal advocates were not satisfied with this answer from animal control, since the supposed shelter could easily have blown over or be swept out of the kennel due to hurricane force winds. The water bowl could have been contaminated with rain water and the food soaked or the bowl blown over.
Many phone calls, after a struggle to obtain the address where the dog is located, were made to Greenville animal control, police department and fire and rescue. Greenville emergency services claimed they could do nothing, stating after all, “it’s just a dog.”
Animal advocates were still not satisfied and many became enraged at the lack of compassion from services meant to protect life. Many felt helpless, unable to do more than place phone calls. One individual attempted to physically go get the dog from the driving rain and hurricane force winds only to be turned away by police due to the enforced curfew.
And still the dog is outside during weather experts have warned to stay out of.
Animal control checked on the dog again, undoubtedly after being inundated with inquiries from animal lovers concerned about the dog’s well-being, but still said the dog was “safe” and had adequate shelter.
They say they will go back out tomorrow morning, after the storm, to follow up on the care of the dog. Dogs Deserve Better say they will also follow up on the fate of this dog.
And animal advocates the world over will not forget and will make sure this dog, abandoned by his owners in one of his greatest times of need, will get the home he deserves.
For more information, and to help this dog, please visit Dogs Deserve Better.