There has been a happy ending for an abandoned dog left tied to a stop sign in Metchosin.
Discovered by a concerned passerby known as Barbara, the male ‘bully breed’ canine had with him a bag with a sign attached that read, “Help me please, note in bag.”
Inside the bag was a five-page letter from the dog’s owner explaining why they were surrendering the animal, plus $500 in cash.
According to Linda Watson from Sooke-based animal rescue organization Salish Paws, the letter explained the person was no longer able to care for the dog, named Andy, because of physical and mental health reasons.
Found in the vicinity of BC SPCA’s Wild ARC, Watson says Andy’s owner had intended to hand the canine over to the animal rehab centre in person, but had a last-minute change of heart.
“They were overcome with feelings of guilt, shame and judgment,” said Watson about the contents of the letter. “So they decided they couldn't walk him up to the door, so left him tied to the sign.”
Described as a “very friendly and happy” mutt, Watson says Andy’s owner had the dog for five years, making the decision to give him up an “excruciating” one.
“He was very well fed, and he looked very well loved,” she said. “The only issue physically that we could see with the dog was the left eye, it looked like it had been bothering him for quite some time.”
Andy is now receiving care from Sooke Veterinary Hospital who will determine if his eye can be saved. The lucky pup has also been offered a place to stay at the home of the person who found him, Barbara, who has two dogs already.
But Watson says Andy’s fate could have taken a turn for the worse if he had not been spotted in time.
“There are so many things that could have gone wrong for this poor guy,” she said, listing sub-zero temperatures and predators as potential threats.
“He could have slipped his collar and got hit by a car – he’s very lucky.”
Watson hopes Andy’s story will encourage anyone considering giving up their dog to think twice.
“There are other options,” she says. “Especially not leaving them at risk by a roadside.”
For any dog owner in financial crisis, Salish Paws can help via their pet food bank, says Watson.
But for those who 'no longer want their dog', Watson warns most animal rescue charities are “overwhelmed” and at capacity, struggling with “record numbers” of surrendered canines.
“The rescues right now are working more with pulling dogs from really bad situations in terms of abuse or neglect,” she says. “So for people who say they don’t want their dog anymore, the only options for surrender are the SPCA and the CRD animal shelter.
“At the SPCA you do need an appointment … so you have to show up and face the music, so to speak.”
For more information about the work of Salish Paws, visit the website: https://salishpaws.ca.
