(Note- this is NOT the dog that was found this morning)
My husband is employed by the Reading School District and because of my involvement with animals, he appears to be the go-to guy when help is needed for an animal.
Today was no exception. I received a phone call from him early this morning after a Pit Bull was discovered tied to a fence at the construction site of the new Supply Building that had burned down the other year. It is located at 717 Tulpehocken Street in Reading.
Picture the scenario. An underweight Pit Bull tied to a fence- no shelter, no food, no water, and not able to defend itself. A construction worker found the poor dog. Ed was called.
Pit Bull- yes, it conjures up negative images in some people’s minds and it did with some of the Reading School District workers. Before you judge them, think about the reality. A Pit Bull found in the city of Reading where you will find having a Pit Bull as a status symbol and so many are trained to be mean and attack on command. It isn’t the dog’s fault but if he is trained to be mean, one must be careful around this breed or any breed of dog for that matter. No one knew the personality of this poor guy so they kept a safe distance at first.
The dog’s ribs were protruding so some of the guys started feeding him their own food. He literally gobbled every morsel. He was so hungry. As it turns out, he is also friendly!
So what is the outcome for this unlucky dog? The Animal Rescue League was called to retrieve the dog. They will scan the dog for a microchip. If no microchip is found, I have no doubts, he will placed up for adoption.
A Reading School District worker has already showed interest in adopting him. I highly doubt a microchip will be discovered and the person who abandoned this poor dog will get away with cruelty to an animal. Whether or not he/she would have those charges levied against him/her is pure speculation on my part, but I sure would hope so.
Abandoning an animal is cruel. Someone could have taken him and used him in dogfighting, as a bait dog or commit more cruel acts against an innocent animal.
Ironically, while waiting for the ARL to arrive, a man was walking his Chihuaha in the area and decided to walk closely to the Pit Bull. The men hollered at him to back away so his dog wouldn’t get bit by the Pit Bull. As I said, the personality of the dog wasn’t known immediately. But, really, who would walk their tiny dog near a much larger dog they don’t know?
Reading is known for having Pit Bulls and Chihuahas and here is one example of both in the same morning.
Why would someone tie his/her dog to a fence and leave him while the dog watches his “guardian” walk away from him? Answer- because he’s an idiotic moron!
Ironically or not so ironically, Alison Rudy, Animal Control/Humane Officer for the ARL, told my husband that another Pit Bull had been found under similar circumstances in the same area recently.
People are so cruel. I hope this dog will eventually be adopted. The ARL is constantly inundated with Pit Bulls and Chihuahas. All of these dogs need homes. I hope you can find it in your heart to help give these unwanted and discarded dogs a forever home. If not, they will lose their lives and they don’t have much time.