Police Seek Owner Of Dog Found Tied To West Boylston Street Sign
WEST BOYLSTON (CBS) – Police in West Boylston are trying to track down the owner of a dog found abandoned and tied to a street sign over the weekend.
A passerby spotted the dog at the intersection of Bunker Hill Parkway and Maple Street at about 8:30 p.m. Sunday and called police.
"The officer responded and he found the dog but was unable to find anybody in the area. There was no owner or witnesses," Sergeant Anthony Papandrea said.
Fortunately, it doesn't appear the dog, nicknamed "Danny" by police, was out in the cold for long.
"The dog was very friendly, he opened the door [to his police cruiser] and the dog jumped right in and was very loving," Papandrea added.
Danny will stay at the Worcester Animal Rescue League for a state-mandated seven-day quarantine.
He will be checked for any medical conditions or behavioral issues though, it seems he was well fed and well taken care of. Danny knows several commands and was found in a matching harness and leash.
His family has at least a week to claim him but if no one comes forward, Danny will eventually be put up for adoption.
It is unclear if Danny was abandoned, or if someone found him and tied him to the pole so he wouldn't get hit by a car. If he was intentionally left there, police said criminal charges could follow.
Kristin Mullins, the Executive Director for the Worcester Animal League, hopes anyone would reach out before abandoning their pet. "Our goal is to keep the pet in the home, but certainly if that's not possible then we are a judgment-free zone. Our role here is to take those animals and care for them and find a new home," she said.
Papandrea said even if Danny's owners do not come forward, "I hope that [with] all the attention given to the dog, he'll find a home, a nice, quality, permanent home."
Danny did not have tags or a microchip.
Anyone who recognizes him is asked to call police at 774-450-3510.