Dog Dies After Being Abandoned at Shelter Door
A heartless act has sent a wave of shock and outrage to the community following the incident in which a dog was found dead after being tied to Herkimer County Humane Society’s entrance door late on a “dark and rainy” night.
The tragic incident discovered on August 9, just a day after seven cats were abandoned in the Herkimer County Humane Society (HCHS) parking lot was shared by HCHS in an August 10 social media post
In a distressing Facebook post, HCHS shared the news, describing the incident as “traumatic” and “heartbreaking.” The shelter emphasized that the dog who the shelter named Betty was not a stray but had been intentionally abandoned.
“A dog was tied to the front door at 11 pm and she died,” the post reads. “It was dark and rainy that night. All we will say for now is that she was not a stray who was found and brought here. It’s taken us a minute to recover enough from this traumatic experience to publicize this very disturbing and heartbreaking act.
The HCHS has expressed their deep sorrow and anger over the incident, emphasizing that pets are the “responsibility” of their owners until a “safe and responsible alternative is found.”
They have also called on the public to be patient and understanding as shelters across the country are overwhelmed.
With their operating hours 7 days a week from 8 am-5 pm, the shelter urges people to seek help from shelters during operating hours rather than abandoning animals.
“We hope her suffering is a learning experience for individuals who approve of abandoning a helpless pet alone in the darkness, your comments are encouraging this desertion,” the post reads.
“We are available 7 days a week from 8am-5pm and there is absolutely no reason to place animals in harms way after hours. We named her Betty. Betty didn’t deserve this, do better. All shelter are screaming mayday, we will get to you, your pets deserve dignity and your patience-we are doing the best we can.”
Accompanying the post was a blurred image of the deceased dog. The shelter explained that the clearer image and video footage from their security cameras “were the reason there has been an arrest.”
The post has sparked widespread condemnation of the individual responsible for Betty’s tragic death, with numerous comments expressing concern about animal cruelty.
“This is all so sad and disturbing! Animal cruelty is becoming so common these days its as if no one takes any responsibility any more. Stop getting animals if you can’t or won’t take proper care of them! Heartbreaking,” one person with the user name “Linda Paul” commented.
Another sympathetic user, Marie Waters Temples, added “I am so angry and sad that someone did this! My dog whom I got from you, has anxiety and hates bad weather, thunder etc and shakes and hides. I can’t imagine not comforting him when he’s scared. This poor dog. RIP Betty. You deserved a life of love and happiness. I am glad this person was caught. There are too many abandonments that have been happening lately and it’s sickening and heart breaking. I can’t wrap my head around how people can have pets and just dump them. Thank you all for doing what you all do for these animals”
Authorities are currently investigating the case, and the HCHS has pledged to provide updates as the investigation progresses.
On August 13, New York State Police released a statement revealing that a 39-year-old man Pedro A. Aquino from Wesr Windield had been arrested as a class “A” misdemeanor.
On August 9, 2024, State Police received a phone call from the Herkimer County Humane Society reporting a possible animal cruelty case. Aquino is expected to appear before the German Flatts Court for a hearing on September 3, 2024.
“A preliminary investigation revealed a dog was tied up by a leash to the door of the Herkimer County Humane Society and left out in the rain on August 8, 2024, at about 11:00 p.m.,” the police statement read.
“Following an investigation, Troopers arrested Pedro A. Aquino, age 39, from West Winfield, NY, for NYS Agricultural & Markets Law § 353-a Animal Cruelty, a class “A” misdemeanor.”
“Aquino was issued an appearance ticket and is scheduled to appear in the town of German Flatts Court on September 3, 2024, at 3:00 p.m.”
