AUBURN — A dog found tied to a post at the Lake Auburn boat launch Tuesday morning was being treated later in the day at the Greater Androscoggin Humane Society in Lewiston.
Senior Animal Technician Zack Black holds Goldy at the Greater Androscoggin Humane Society in Lewiston on Tuesday afternoon after she was found abandoned by the Auburn boat launch.
This piece of cardboard was left with Goldy at the Lake Auburn boat launch, where she was found, Tuesday morning.
Senior Animal Technician Zack Black holds Goldy at the Greater Androscoggin Humane Society in Lewiston on Tuesday afternoon. The dog was found abandoned Tuesday morning by the Lake Auburn boat launch on Route 4.
The female Shih Tzu, abandoned in the drizzle with a note scribbled on cardboard, was wet and cold when it was found, but was expected to recover completely.
The mystery of its appearance at the boat launch on Route 4 lingered throughout the day.
According to Animal Control Officer Wendell Strout, the only clue as to how the dog got there was a brief note that appeared to have been written by a child.
“Pleasse take me home. My no is Goldy. I am good with kids.”
Strout and others were hoping to track down the original owner. For starters, Goldy appeared to suffer from an allergy that caused it to lose hair. Determining what type of allergy would help in the treatment.
"She's a friendly dog," Strout said. "But she needs some help."
At the Humane Society in Lewiston, staffers were watching over the dog. They said when Goldy first arrived, there were signs that its previous treatment was not so great.
“She had a lot of fleas,” said Senior Animal Technician Zack Black. “Her nails were long and she has a urinary tract infection. She was peeing blood.”
She was also cold. Strout did not know how long she had been tied to the post on a cool morning in the rain.
By late afternoon, Goldy appeared to be settling in at the shelter. As Black carried her around in a blanket, her brown eyes looked everywhere. The Shih Tzu appeared more curious than afraid.
“She’s cute,” said Donna Kincer, development director at the shelter. “We’ll keep her for a little bit and try to figure out what her allergies are.”
Black said the dog will remain under observation for seven days, a period in which they will treat her health woes and try to explore her background.
Strout said any information about Goldy’s history would help. Anyone with information is asked to contact their local police department, the Humane Society or Strout directly at 513-3111.
Report a correction
We're lucky
We're lucky to live in a state where so many people care about stray and abandoned animals.
My girlfriend lives in Alabama currently, and the general attitude is entirely different. People will let animals roam and breed at will even in big cities. Not much is thought of taking a sick animal out back and shooting them.
Dogs and cats are often left in boxes in 100+ degree heat for someone to find.
The animal shelter is most definitely not No Kill, and they will put down any animal not claimed rescued by a charity in a day or two.
My girlfriend fosters kittens for a group in Huntsville called A New Leash on Life, and they do great work, but some of the stories she tells of the animals that they get break my heart.
I know not everything is perfect here in Maine either, but things are night and day difference, and it's to our credit that so many people care.
To anyone who reads this article or my comment, I'd remind them they don't need to adopt a pet to help the cause, and they most definitely SHOULD NOT adopt one if they're not sure they can afford it. However there are lots of ways you can help.
Call up the shelter or a rescue group in your area and ask if there's anything they need. Food, cat litter, piddle pads, all these things are used every day, and the costs add up, but donating a couple times a year doesn't make a huge dent in your wallet and can help them a lot.
- Permalink
- Is this comment inappropriate?
Would you like to respond? Login or create a new account. You'll need to verify your account before you can respond.How sad
I hate hearing things like this. It makes me want to cry to know how heartless people can really be. I know Goldy will find a good home now and there will be a huge amount of people wanting to adopt this dog. I hope the owner pays for what they have done.
- Permalink
- Is this comment inappropriate?
Kudos AwardedAgree (5)
Would you like to respond? Login or create a new account. You'll need to verify your account before you can respond.No Kill Shelter
The Lewiston ASPCA is a NO KILL SHELTER! The only reason they kill any animal is if it is in such a health crisis that it is inhumane to allow the animal to continue to suffer. There are times when there is no way to help an animal, but if there is a way to help it with medical measures they will do everything possible for the animal no matter what the cost. Educate yourself and Adopt a Shelter Pet:)
Also, if you can not afford to pay the drop off fee they will waive it if you ask. They may have you fill out a form, but they will work with anyone. Yes, you can have a friend bring it in saying they removed it from a home that was unable to apropriately care for it, but that is better than dumping it off with NO information.
Maine has one of the strictest animal cruelty laws in the Nation. Anyone that is found guilty of animal cruelty in Maine will pay a $1,000.00 fine and up to 1 year in jail for every offense. It is considered a Federal Crime and will be placed on your permanent record. There is NO excuse for abandoning any animal in such a cruel mannor~
- Permalink
- Is this comment inappropriate?
Kudos AwardedDisagree (1) Agree (10)
Would you like to respond? Login or create a new account. You'll need to verify your account before you can respond.Leave the dog at a shelter!!
Drop the dog off at a shelter or a vet's office!! If you don't have money for a drop-off fee at a shelter, lie & say you found the dog or call animal control and say you found a stray!!!
- Permalink
- Is this comment inappropriate?
Kudos AwardedDisagree (2) Agree (6)
Would you like to respond? Login or create a new account. You'll need to verify your account before you can respond.homeless kids
Maybe homeless or very poor children had the dog. Obviously someone who didn't know about the shelter.
- Permalink
- Is this comment inappropriate?
Kudos AwardedDisagree (6) Agree (6)
Would you like to respond? Login or create a new account. You'll need to verify your account before you can respond.You're being wayyy too kind
You're being wayyy too kind to the beasts who did this to the poor dog.
- Permalink
- Is this comment inappropriate?
Kudos AwardedDisagree (2) Agree (5)
Would you like to respond? Login or create a new account. You'll need to verify your account before you can respond.A brain dead low life you are
A brain dead low life you are for leaving a helpless animal tied to a post. Thanks to who ever found the dog from having it go through any more suffering. Hope the person that did this is found and they get their name and picture put on the front page of the newspaper holding a sign saying "I'm and animal abuser", while they are tied to a post.
- Permalink
- Is this comment inappropriate?
Kudos AwardedDisagree (2) Agree (19)
Would you like to respond? Login or create a new account. You'll need to verify your account before you can respond.Sad
It's so sad that the owners felt it right to leave her there instead of taking her to the shelter. At least she is now is good care and will find a good home to go to. Way to go Animal Control and Shelter Staff!
- Permalink
- Is this comment inappropriate?
Kudos AwardedDisagree (1) Agree (10)
Would you like to respond? Login or create a new account. You'll need to verify your account before you can respond.Not necessarily
A lot of animals are put to sleep there. This dog might have a chance cause he was in the news. It is then that people go to the shelter.
- Permalink
- Is this comment inappropriate?
Kudos AwardedDisagree (9) Agree (4)
Would you like to respond? Login or create a new account. You'll need to verify your account before you can respond.No Kill Shelter
The Lewiston ASPCA is a NO KILL SHELTER! The only reason they kill any animal is if it is in such a health crisis that it is inhumane to allow the animal to continue to suffer. There are times when there is no way to help an animal, but if there is a way to help it with medical measures they will do everything possible for the animal no matter what the cost. Educate yourself and Adopt a Shelter Pet:)
- Permalink
- Is this comment inappropriate?
Kudos AwardedDisagree (1) Agree (10)
Would you like to respond? Login or create a new account. You'll need to verify your account before you can respond.No reason for it
Stories like this make me sick. There is no excuse for leaving your dog tied to a post in terrible weather hoping someone will save it. Sure, these are tough times and spending extra money on a pet can be a strain on a family, but why not just bring the dog to the shelter directly? I know they have a drop off fee, but how many people leave animals there in the middle of the night to avoid this fee? At least the dog could have been somewhere safe. I hope that after the dog is healthy she'll be adopted by a nice family that will take good care of her.
- Permalink
- Is this comment inappropriate?
Kudos AwardedAgree (44) Disagree (1)
Would you like to respond? Login or create a new account. You'll need to verify your account before you can respond.people can be so in Humane
[This comment has been removed by the administrator]
- Permalink
- Is this comment inappropriate?
Kudos AwardedDisagree (8) Agree (33)
Would you like to respond? Login or create a new account. You'll need to verify your account before you can respond.This comment has been removed
This comment has been removed for violating our commenting policy. Roadwolfwalker, if I have to remove one more comment from you I am banning you from our site.
- Permalink
- Is this comment inappropriate?
Kudos AwardedDisagree (1)
Would you like to respond? Login or create a new account. You'll need to verify your account before you can respond.I HOPE U CATCH THEM
SEND TO JAIL; PLEASE
- Permalink
- Is this comment inappropriate?
Kudos AwardedDisagree (1) Agree (36)
Would you like to respond? Login or create a new account. You'll need to verify your account before you can respond.if you find the previous owner,
tie them to the post.
- Permalink
- Is this comment inappropriate?
Kudos AwardedDisagree (1) Agree (59)
Would you like to respond? Login or create a new account. You'll need to verify your account before you can respond.