Disturbing footage has surfaced showing a woman heartlessly abandoning her loyal dog on a street in Sweetwater, Florida. The video, captured on a Ring doorbell camera, has ignited widespread fury after being shared online.
The Heartbreaking Moment of Abandonment
The viral clip begins on Wednesday morning with a blonde-haired woman exiting her white sedan. Her excited Golden Doodle can be seen inside the vehicle, tail wagging. The woman then leads the energetic dog to the side of the road near the pavement.
Confused, the dog runs around the road as the owner quickly returns to the driver's seat. In a particularly poignant moment, the dog realises his owner is back in the car and sprints to the door, attempting to jump in, but finds it locked. The devoted pet is seen jumping up with its front paws against the car, its tail still wagging, desperately trying to regain entry.
The owner seizes her chance when the dog pauses to relieve itself, speeding away and leaving the stunned animal alone on the street. The footage concludes with the abandoned dog trotting up and down the road before the video cuts out.
Rescue and Recovery for the Abandoned Pup
The video was posted online with a caption pleading for someone to give the dog a new home. Thankfully, the call was answered by Pastor Garcilazo, who saw the social media appeal and decided to search for the animal.
"He was very energetic, he was around the place, like running around in circles," Garcilazo told NBC6 after finding the dog. He took the matted Golden Doodle to a groomer, where a staff member stated it was the worst case of matting she had ever encountered.
Garcilazo noted that witnesses said the woman was crying during the act, a detail not seen in the video. However, he emphasised, "at the end of the day, she left him just like that. There are ways to do things like that, and that's not one of them."
The rescuer plans to check for a microchip but has already renamed the dog Leo and intends to keep him, providing a happy ending after a traumatic start.
Public Outrage and Calls for Justice
The video has provoked mass condemnation online, with viewers expressing their anger and sadness. Many have called for the original owner to face legal consequences for her actions.
One critic wrote online: "The way he tried to get on the car after she was leaving, he just wanted a way back in. She should be arrested. This is beyond cruel." Another added: "This is so sad. Hope she gets the karma she deserves." A third comment demanded: "Is there an image of the plate? She should be arrested."
The incident serves as a stark reminder of the responsibility of pet ownership and the devastating impact of abandonment, while also highlighting the compassion of individuals like Pastor Garcilazo who step in to help.
