Video footage of a man dumping a dog and driving away has raised the ire of local animal lovers.
The man abandoned a German Shepherd near Dowdy Ferry Road and Teagarden Road in Southeast Dallas, according to Dallas police.
“The unknown suspect pulled up in a white SUV and went to the back of his vehicle, opened the back door, and pulled a dog (possibly a German Shepherd) out of the back and set it on the ground,” Melinda Gutierrez, a police spokesperson, told The Dallas Express.
The video shows that the man then gets back into the SUV and drives away as the German Shepherd chases after him, nearly running in front of an oncoming car.
Dallas police confirmed to The Dallas Express that the dog is no longer on the street.
“Animal control responded and recovered the dog in good condition,” said Gutierrez.
No arrests have been made yet, but the Dallas police say the investigation is ongoing.
“A person can be charged with cruelty to a non-livestock animal – abandonment, which is a Class A misdemeanor that carries a fine up to $4,000, or confinement in jail up to one year, or both,” said Gutierrez.
“If a person is not able to care for a pet, they can surrender them to Dallas Animals Services or the SPCA,” she added.
The video footage, which has been widely circulated on social media, was captured by members of the Dowdy Ferry Animal Commission (DFAC), a non-profit organization dedicated to fighting animal cruelty and abuse, especially in the Dowdy Ferry Road area. The group operates several cameras near Teagarden and Dowdy Ferry Road, an area known for animal and trash dumping.
“It makes me sick to my stomach when I see people that will take the time to take their dog, drive out here, and throw it out like trash,” Jeremy Boss, one of the founding members of DFAC, told WFAA.
The video has garnered strong reactions from users on social media.
One user, Mike Masco, a senior meteorologist, said he hopes the suspect is caught.
“This guy is a MONSTER.. Look how happy that poor dog was thinking he was going on a nice walk only to be left in the dust by this MONSTER. Please find him and make him pay!” the post read.
Another user responded, “Omg, this is awful.”
Anyone wanting to inquire about pet adoption can contact Dallas Animal Services.