Cusenza found the dog Sept. 14 after seeing a post on Facebook that showed a picture of a puppy lying on the ground behind a shopping center in the 4100 block of South Clear Creek Road.
The dog had been left tied to a Dumpster with food, water and a makeshift bed. But mostly likely the heat killed the animal before Cusenza was able to track it down. When she arrived at the location, she said the dog was dead.
“I just don’t understand why someone would do that, it was a secluded place,” Cusenza said.
Killeen Animal Control Supervisor Stacie Sherva said the animal would still be alive if its owner had contacted the shelter. Animals are abandoned for a number of reasons, including the cost of food.
The shelter charges $30 to take in an animal from a pet owner. However, if the owner is indigent, other arrangements can be made.
“People need to understand that if they can’t afford it, they still need to at least make contact and see if someone can help,” Sherva said. “There’s almost always a solution.”
Paws in Paradise Pet Crematory picked up the dog at no cost and had it cremated. Cusenza said staff there believe the animal had only been dead a few hours.
It looked healthy. The dog was not malnourished and was in good shape. It caused some anguish in Cusenza, because it appears she arrived just a little too late.
“Please contact a rescue,” Cusenza said. “They will work with you. They will do anything to save that dog.”
Abandoning an animal in such a way can be a criminal matter, with criminal charges ranging from misdemeanor to felony depending on the extent of the abuse, Sherva said. She could not comment on whether an investigation of the incident is ongoing.
(KDH News - September 21, 2013)
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