Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Heartbreaking video shows abandoned puppy chasing owners’ car after being dumped

Bear, a German Shepherd mix puppy is now being looked after at a Fresno rescue awaiting adoption

Michelle Del Rey
Friday 03 May 2024 22:07 BST
Comments
Puppy chases after car after being abandoned by owner

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

A heartbreaking video shows the moment a confused puppy chases the fleeing car of its cold-hearted owners after they dumped her on the grounds of a California mobile home park.

Priscilla Garvey, the assistant manager of the Country Living Mobile Home Park in Fresno, says she was crushed when two people abandoned the adorable puppy there on Thursday.

The horrifying scene was caught on the park’s surveillance footage. In it, the people can be seen driving onto the facility’s grounds, leaving the puppy in the parking lot and taking off.

Undeterred, the German Shepherd mix puppy, which Ms Garvey has named “Bear”, chased after the vehicle until it exited the mobile home. When the car was no longer visible, the puppy, appearing confused, walked around and then sat in the middle of the road.

The situation left Ms Garvey in disbelief.

“I was really sad that someone could just abandon a puppy,” Ms Garvey said. “She was so energetic and so sweet that it just broke my heart that someone could just take this puppy somewhere and just go.”

The woman walked out of her office and brought the puppy inside before calling Fresno Animal Center to pick up the dog. Both she and her boss briefly thought about taking the puppy home but ultimately decided against it.

While some of the facility’s residents expressed interest in keeping the dog, the puppy is likely to outgrow the facility’s weight restrictions.

TikTok screengrab
TikTok screengrab (TikTok screengrab)

An officer later picked up the puppy, which is now available for adoption. A spokesperson for the city declined to name the rescue due to privacy concerns.

The Fresno Police Department is currently investigating the incident, Rudy Pina, an animal resource officer told Nexstar’s KSEE/KGPE. Abandoning a puppy is a misdemeanour offence in California.

Even so, the officer said that the department routinely handles reports of abandoned pets.

“Unfortunately, our animal control department responds to animal abandonment calls every single week in the city of Fresno.”

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in