Unfortunately, it is no surprise to find an abandoned dog or puppy on the street lately. It’s a scene that rescuers, dog lovers, and animal control officers have long been used to.

However, the latest case of finding an abandoned dog in New Bern, North Carolina, shows that surprises are always possible. The reason why this situation is different from most others is the note found next to the abandoned puppy.

That note caused shock, but also anger among animal control officers and many others. 

“Please Take Me”

When a kind man found an abandoned puppy in a cage near the Books-A-Million parking lot in New Bern, North Carolina, he immediately called New Bern Animal Control. 

Officers were quickly on their way to that place, and when they arrived, the sight they encountered left them speechless. 

“To leave an animal like that on the side of the road, especially in the summer in the heat like that…there was no water in the cage just a bag of food. It’s not the right thing to do,” New Bern Animal Control Officer, Kevin Bahr, said in his interview for WITN. 

However, what truly shocked him and his colleagues was the note they found in the cage where this twelve-year-old puppy was.

“Please take me… I’m a 12 week hound. I don’t bite. Take great care of him. He has food with him,” it was written in the note. 

Although it may seem at first that his owner had the best intentions, the officers still could not understand how someone could just leave their puppy on the street like that. Even some locals couldn’t believe it.

“I can’t imagine why anyone would just abandon a puppy…especially in a cage. We have services you know, to take unwanted animals. It’s just reckless…I hope they find who did this,” said New Bern resident Matthew Nelson. 

Despite everything, these good people quickly found a solution for the poor puppy. They transferred him to Craven-Pamlico Animal Services, where he will stay until he finds his forever home.

Illegal Action

Quickly after finding the dog and taking him to the shelter, officers made the announcement via their official Facebook page, the Craven County Sheriff’s Office – Animal Protective Services.

They pointed out that the act of abandoning an animal is illegal no matter where or when you do it. “It is important to note that under NCGS 14-361.1, abandoning an animal is illegal and can result in fines of up to $1,000,” they stated in the Facebook post. 

Facebook users who reacted to this post were also outraged.

One user wrote that “People never fail to disappoint!!” while the other commented: “Some people to abandon that way I don’t know how they can sleep at night. I have 5 and they are my companion and consider my family!”

The third sadly stated: “what a cute dog! poor guy😥”

Luckily, thanks to big-hearted people, this puppy is now safe and waiting for better days and a family that will love and care for him no matter what. 

Finally, using the example of this puppy, the officers warned all other owners who have similar intentions.

“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,” they wrote. “There is no excuse or tolerance for this behavior in Craven County.”