Curiosity
Dog Tied To Train Tracks Rescued by Engineer
Dog Tied To Train Tracks Rescued by Engineer
A 10-month-old dog that was tied to a Southern California railroad track and left to die was rescued and is now looking for a home. Named Banjo by the alert engineer who pulled the emergency brake, the dog was unharmed and appears to be in excellent health. He is being cared for by Animal Services of Riverside County.
The shelter’s investigation into the incident, which took place in Mecca, led officials to the dog’s 78-year-old male owner. The man claimed the family no longer wanted the dog, so he took it to the railroad tracks and left it. He will not be charged with animal cruelty because he appeared to be mentally confused.
Riverside County Animal Services added that Animal Services has been criticized for not seeking animal-cruelty charges against the man.
“Please note that a Union Pacific special agent with more than 20 years of law-enforcement experience thoroughly interviewed the man,” Welsh wrote. “The man is almost 80 years old. The special agent said he believed the man to be senile. The man spoke gibberish. The man could easily be demonstrating signs of Alzheimer’s or dementia. We do not know for sure. But the special agent was going to be in touch with adult protective services to make sure that the man’s family was going to be held accountable.”
Jo Marie Upegui, a veterinary assistant, stated that Banjo needs a home where he will receive a lot of love and be treated gently.
The lucky dog was named after railway signs, which are shaped like banjos.
So many people visited the website of Riverside County Animal Services on Wednesday, April 10, that the website, rcdas.org, crashed, Welsh said. According to reports, people clicking on the website receive a message that says “Site temporarily down for maintenance.”
Banjo is available for adoption. Those interested can email [email protected] for information.
On The Web:
Dog tied to train tracks saved by engineer, needs new home
http://abclocal.go.com/kabc/story?section=news/local/inland_empire&id=9059047
Dog tied to train tracks so popular he crashed website
http://blog.pe.com/crime-blotter/2013/04/10/dog-tied-to-train-tracks-so-popular-he-crashed-website/
Man believed to have tied puppy to train tracks won’t be charged
http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-0410-puppy-20130410,0,2792503.story