The Last Dog Tale

As Mike and I were heading out this afternoon, I saw the neighbor's dog running loose along Upas. She stopped on the front porch of her house. I walked over calling to her, but she wasn't interested in getting close.

I went inside and called Animal Control. Apparently, the magic words are "loose dog."

I called India to let her know what was happening in case the officer showed up after Mike and I left (but we ended up hanging around for a bit). I returned her container of dog food and she used it to lure the dog back into its yard just as the AC truck pulled up.

The officer was the same one I'd spoken with on AC's first visit. We confirmed that the dog had been running around the neighborhood until a few minutes before he arrived. That allowed him to seize the dog and leave a note for the neighbors instructing them to call AC to claim their pet.

India asked what happened next. The officer said they keep the dog until they hear from the owners, who can either reclaim the animal if they plan to care for it or relinquish it to AC. He assured us if the owners didn't want it or didn't respond, the dog would likely be a candidate for adoption through the Humane Society--and was not in imminent danger of being put down. I hope that's true.

It's unclear whether the dog got out by herself (both gates were closed) or if she was let loose on purpose. If it was the latter, that tees me off. But that also made it possible for AC to take action. Finally. (Sheesh!)

We're hoping this works out in the best possible way for the dog. At very least, she will be getting regular food, water and care for the immediate future.