It was 8:30 a.m. when the first employees of the Vaux-le-Pénil (Seine-et-Marne) animal shelter arrived to take care of the kennel residents.
As they went to open the gates, the team came face-to-face with a poor dog that had been tied to the fence.
Terrified, the poor pup had probably spent the night like that, exposed to the wind and rain. Confused and disoriented, he had no idea why he was there.
Severe emotional distress
The large mixed-breed shepherd had been left with an ill-fitting harness, a leash, and a blanket as his sole source of comfort. Needless to say, this was not enough to soothe him during such a scary time.
As required by French law, any animal found on public roads must first spend time in a pound and observe an 8-working-day waiting period, allowing owners to come forward and reclaim their pet. Only after this period can an animal be put up for adoption. It seemed clear that nobody would be coming forward to claim the dog, but the Vaux-le-Pénil shelter still had to follow this procedure, calling the pound to take him away.
The shepherd mix was so scared that he became aggressive and had to be restrained to ensure the safety of the employees. Unfortunately, during the struggle, he injured his mouth.
The poor dog then lay on the ground, howling. The team managed to get him to move by using the blanket, encouraging him to follow a familiar, comforting scent.
An urgent appeal
Saddened by such distress, the Vaux-le-Pénil shelter documented the abandonment of this poor dog, reminding the public of their daily struggle.
In January alone, which is always a slow period for adoptions, the shelter received around ten requests for surrenders a day.
Pushed to their limits, they faced a heartbreaking reality. Unable to expand beyond their means, they had to turn away animals that needed their help.
Whatever the circumstance, the way in which this poor dog was left was unacceptable. We just hope he goes on to find a family who will love and care for him for the rest of his days.
