It’s sadly becoming all too common to find abandoned dogs or puppies left on the streets.
Animal rescuers, dog lovers, and animal control officers have long been familiar with these heartbreaking scenes.
However, a recent case in New Bern, North Carolina, left even seasoned officers shocked due to a note left beside the abandoned puppy.
A Shocking Discovery
A man in New Bern found a puppy in a cage near the Books-A-Million parking lot and quickly alerted Animal Control. Officers rushed to the scene, and what they found left them stunned.
“To leave an animal like that on the side of the road, especially in the summer heat with no water in the cage, just a bag of food—it’s not the right thing to do,” said Officer Kevin Bahr of New Bern Animal Control in an interview with WITN.
The true shock, however, came from the note left inside the cage with the puppy.
“Please Take Me”
The note read: “Please take me… I’m a 12-week-old hound. I don’t bite. Take great care of him. He has food with him.”
While the note may seem to show concern for the puppy’s future, officers and locals couldn’t understand how someone could simply abandon a helpless puppy this way.
“I can’t imagine why anyone would just abandon a puppy, especially in a cage. We have services to take unwanted animals. It’s reckless…I hope they find who did this,” said Matthew Nelson, a New Bern resident.
A New Beginning
Despite the unfortunate circumstances, the puppy was quickly taken to Craven-Pamlico Animal Services, where he will stay until he finds a loving forever home.
His sad situation sparked outrage among animal lovers and prompted a reminder about responsible pet ownership.
A Reminder: Abandoning Pets Is Illegal
Soon after the rescue, Craven County Sheriff’s Office – Animal Protective Services made an announcement on their Facebook page, reminding the public that abandoning an animal is illegal.
“Under NCGS 14-361.1, abandoning an animal can result in fines of up to $1,000,” they stated.
The post garnered strong reactions from Facebook users, with many expressing their anger.
One commented, “People never fail to disappoint!!” while another said, “How can someone sleep at night after doing something like this?”
A Happy Ending Awaits
Fortunately, thanks to the kind individuals involved, the puppy is now safe and awaiting a better future with a family who will love him unconditionally.
In their final message, the officers reminded the public: “While we understand that everyone’s circumstances are different, leaving a dog in a location where anyone could take him shows a lack of concern for his well-being. There is no excuse for this behavior in Craven County.”
The story serves as a reminder that pets are not disposable, and there are always better options than abandonment.