Recently, incidents of pet abandonment in public spaces have been on the rise. Particularly troubling are cases where owners leave their animals in plain view, mistakenly believing that security cameras or bystanders won’t have repercussions for them.
Such a situation unfolded at Pittsburgh International Airport when an individual left his Chihuahua tied to a pole and proceeded to board his flight.
The swift action of law enforcement proved otherwise.
The Allegheny County Police Department (ACPD) used their official Facebook page to alert the public about a dog found alone in the airport’s short-term parking.
They began their message with a strong warning to pet owners: “There is no excuse for leaving your pets behind.”
According to the ACPD’s post, at around 1:15 PM, officers were informed about the abandoned dog, tied to a pole.
Fortunately, when officers freed the dog, identified as a Chihuahua by WTAE, it was in good condition despite having no microchip. Authorities emphasized their intent to identify the person responsible.
The following day, the police department provided another update. “We are seeking to identify and speak with this man about the dog left at the airport,” they stated, suspecting he was a ticketed passenger who left the animal before catching his flight.
To aid the investigation, they released surveillance images and urged anyone who recognized the man to step forward.
Although updates were scarce initially, the investigation persisted quietly. Eventually, ACPD announced on Facebook that charges had been filed. Community support was pivotal in progressing the case.
“Thank you to everyone who responded to this incident. Your tips helped us identify 68-year-old David Mittelberger Sr. from Windsor Heights, West Virginia,” the police wrote.
The Chihuahua, named Mikey, was found to have a severe oral infection requiring extensive veterinary care. He was placed with Animal Friends for recovery before becoming available for adoption.
This incident echoes a similar one from months earlier at the airport, where a French Bulldog was abandoned. That dog’s owner had been informed it couldn’t fly without a crate but chose to leave it at the airport instead.
The same police department handled the investigation, issuing a warning on Facebook: “Don’t leave your pets behind!”
Evidently, Mikey’s owner did not heed the previous warning or updates about the French Bulldog’s owner, who faced multiple charges for animal cruelty and neglect.
Despite his reasons, the outcome was similar for Mikey’s owner.
The French Bulldog, named Frenchy, eventually recovered and was adopted by a loving family. Meanwhile, Mikey is still under professional care, receiving necessary medical treatment.
Animal shelter staff are optimistic that Mikey will soon find a caring adopter once he recovers.
These two cases emphasize the harm caused by abandoning pets and underscore the commitment of law enforcement, rescue organizations, and community members working to protect these animals.
Each successful investigation and safe placement reaffirms authorities’ stance: abandoning an animal is unacceptable, and those responsible will face consequences.
Read more Dogs News.
