A Mound Street eviction turned into a case of possible animal neglect after the former residents leftâbut didnât take everything with them. Namely, the family dog.Â
đš Around 1:30 p.m., officers were dispatched after a concerned caller reported that evicted tenants left a dog behind when they cleared out of the home. The property owner said they were unable to get inside for a scheduled inspection, raising more red flags.Â
đź When officers arrived, they found a dog still at the scene. Thankfully, the animal didnât appear to be in immediate distress or malnourished, but police werenât about to just walk away. They notified animal control, who will be following up to ensure the dog is properly cared for.Â
â Why You Should NEVER Leave a Pet BehindÂ
Abandoning an animalâeven âjust for a day or twoââisnât just heartless, itâs dangerous and illegal. Pets depend on us for everything: food, water, shelter, and safety. Walking away from them leaves them vulnerable to:Â
- đ« Dehydration and starvationÂ
- đĄïž Extreme heat or coldÂ
- đą Emotional distress and traumaÂ
- đ In some cases, deathÂ
And yes, abandoning a pet is a crime in Ohio, and you can be charged with animal cruelty or neglect.Â
đŸ What To Do If You See a Pet Left BehindÂ
Think something isnât right? Hereâs how to handle it:Â
- đ Observe safely â donât enter the property, but look for signs of distressÂ
- đž Take photos or video if you can do so safelyÂ
- đ Call local law enforcement or animal control â just like this caller didÂ
- â±ïž Act quickly â time matters when animals are left aloneÂ
This latest call serves as an important reminder: pets are familyânot furniture. If you’re moving, evicted, or overwhelmed, there are resources available to help rehome animals safely. Leaving them behind should never be an option.Â