After viral photos showed men grappling with a recently adopted dog, Dallas Animal Services dismissed concerns of mistreatment.
Witnesses captured three men manhandling a dog in the Dallas Animal Services parking lot, prompting concerns of mistreatment. But Dallas Animal Services responded that evening, saying police investigated the matter and found no evidence of abuse.
“Dallas Animal Services (DAS) is aware of photographs circulating on social media regarding the handling of two dogs by adopters in the parking lot,” the agency posted to Facebook. “Dallas Police Department Animal Cruelty Unit reviewed the incident and found no signs of animal cruelty.”
Dallas Animal Services also said it requested a welfare check from local police near the adopters, but they “found no evidence to support any criminal activity related to animal cruelty.”
“The City of Dallas is committed to the safety and well-being of all animals in DAS’ care and will continue to monitor this situation,” the agency wrote.
The nonprofit Animal Hope and Wellness Foundation initially posted on August 13, saying three suspicious men had come to the shelter and adopted multiple pit bulls.
“A group of men came into the shelter behaving suspiciously, showing no real interest in finding loving pets – just to ‘get dogs,’” the nonprofit wrote. “Outside, witnesses saw the men manhandle the dogs.”
Pictures show three men by the back of a pickup truck in the shelter parking lot – lifting a dog by his neck and the skin on his back, dragging his face on the tailgate, and shoving him in one of several metal cages.
“These dogs must be recovered immediately, with welfare checks at any location they may be,” the nonprofit wrote. “DAS needs to explain why obvious red flags were ignored and dangerous adoptions approved.”
The post gained hundreds of likes and shares. The Dallas Express reached out to the Animal Hope and Wellness Foundation for more information, but did not hear back in time for publication.
Dallas detectives recently rescued puppies after stumbling upon a dog-fighting ring, as The Dallas Express previously reported. Dallas Detective Jonathan Sherman said at the time dog fighting had gone “underground,” making it “very difficult to investigate.”
Dallas Animal Services also recently paused intake for most dogs, due to an outbreak of the serious canine disease distemper.
The Dallas Express asked Dallas Animal Services for comment, but Public Information Officer Nick Starling said he had “nothing more to add at this time.”