Another dog is abandoned at Pittsburgh International Airport, Allegheny County police announced Thursday, November 16.
“There is no excuse for leaving your pets behind” THE Allegheny County Police Department (ACPD) wrote in a Facebook post.
Police said that around 1:15 p.m., Pittsburgh International Airport officers were alerted to the presence of an abandoned dog tied to a pole in the airport’s short-term parking lot.
The ACPD revealed the dog did not have a microchip and said: “Officers intervened and were able to unchain the dog, which fortunately appears to be in good condition.”
ACPD asked the public for information about the incident and were able to track down a man, who they believed to be the owner’s dog, through CCTV footage.
They said, “At this stage we believe this was a ticketed passenger who spent time inside the airport before leaving the dog in the short-term car park before their flight. “
And on November 20, thanks to people who contacted us, the dog’s owner was finally identified as David Mittelberger Sr., 68, of Windsor Heights, West Virginia.
ACPD revealed, “Investigators believe Mittelberger was traveling to California, but our attempts to contact him were unsuccessful.”
“After consulting with the prosecutor’s office, we filed charges against Mittelberger for animal abandonment, animal neglect and animal cruelty. These are summary offenses and will be sent via citation,” wrote the ACPD.
The dog was also identified as Mikey and is currently in the care of an animal shelter in Pittsburgh called Animal lovers.
The police department said Mikey is currently not up for adoption and has an active infection in his mouth that requires extensive dental work.
They also revealed that they are currently working with the state dog warden and animal shelter to obtain a court order allowing Mikey to receive proper care.
Internet users and dog lovers were furious about the situation. One user said: “Whoever left this sweet dog behind should be charged and found unfit to own a pet again.” While another wrote, “How can people do this to their pets?!” This poor puppy was probably so confused and scared! »
The news came three months after Allegheny County police reported another similar incident.
Another dog was previously abandoned by its owner in the same airport after the owner discovered she couldn’t take the 7-year-old French bulldog with her on her cage-free flight, opting to leave the poor dog in the airport parking lot.