A dog in Wisconsin found tied to a fire hydrant in a Green Bay neighborhood is “doing great,” according to the Wisconsin Humane Society (WHS).
Local resident, Kylie Rose Engelhardt, found the mixed-breed dog earlier this week. She was tied to the fire hydrant with a large backpack filled with dog supplies, including food, toys, and treats.
According to Engelhardt’s Facebook post, she sat with the abandoned dog for an hour, hoping someone would come back for her, but no one did. She ultimately brought the dog to WHS’s shelter in Green Bay.
As it turns out, the previous owner purposely left the pup there due to personal circumstances.
According to a note, the six-year-old pup’s name is “Baby Girl.” The previous owner said she was struggling with medical issues and could no longer care for her pet, leaving her with no choice but to make the heartbreaking decision.
“The note asked that someone please help Baby Girl,” Angela Speed, a spokesperson for the Wisconsin Humane Society, told HuffPost.
As Engelhardt’s post started getting traction, the unidentified owner also began getting backlash from the public.
WHS posted an update about Baby Girl on their Facebook page to give more context to the situation. Their post begins by explaining that the dog is “serving her mandatory stray hold” under their care and is “doing great.”
“As her story gains attention locally and beyond, we wanted to take a moment to address Baby Girl’s previous owner directly,” they wrote.
“First and foremost, we are so sorry you had to part with your best friend,” they continued. “It’s evident just how much you loved her and we can see you did your best while struggling with your own medical complications and challenges of life.”
The animal rescue organization listed the reasons they believe Baby Girl’s previous owner was just trying to do what’s best for her beloved dog.
“We see your love in the bag you carefully packed with all of her favorite things. We see your love in the way you secured her leash so she wouldn’t get hit by a car. We see your love in the way you placed her in the middle of a neighborhood where she’d be quickly found. We see your love in how happy and healthy Baby Girl looks. And we see your love in the note you left, pleading for someone to help her when you no longer could,” they said.
The dog, described by Speed as “affectionate and delightful,” will probably be up for adoption in the coming days after clearing some more veterinary checks.
“She’s a happy girl who loves to go for walks, play with toys, and gets super excited to perform a perfect ‘sit’ for treats,” Speed said.
As the story made rounds on social media and the news, Baby Girl’s previous owner, who wished to keep her anonymity, reached out to Action 2 News to explain her decision.
She admitted that leaving her dog on the fire hydrant was the most difficult thing she’s ever had to do, but it was her only choice.
She is going through chemotherapy and living on the street, making it impossible for her to provide for Baby Girl’s needs.
“So I’m on the streets with her, and I said, it needs to be done immediately because she’s with me outside, under bushes. And they said we can’t do anything. We don’t have any kennels,” she said.
The owner said she tried calling other humane societies and going door-to-door to find someone willing to take Baby Girl in, but her efforts were in vain. She ended up heeding advice to call the police for an emergency surrender.
She was just a block away as she watched the police pick up her dog and her backpack filled with supplies.
“When I put her on the hydrant, I just saw her face that she was like, mom, what, what’s going on here?” she recalled.
Today, she hopes Baby Girl will end up in a good home and that people will understand her reasons for leaving her.
“I hope she finds a fantastic family. She deserves it. Just forgive me and bless Baby Girl. Make sure she’s ok,” she said.
WHS also took this opportunity to let the public know that people who can no longer care for their animals can bring them to a shelter instead of leaving them outside.
“You will be met at the door with the same compassion and respect that we bring to animals in our care. We never want anyone to hesitate to seek our services,” Speed said.
Click on the video below from Fox 6 News Milwaukee for more on this story.
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Untrue! I have found two dogs a different times and tried to take to a shelter and they were full and would not take. The vet wanted to charge me an enormous amount of money just for a general check.
I would be very happy to adopt this pup, and keep her loving mother in touch with her new life.. She would have a loving adoring home, with female Labrador, me and my husband.
Why the lady is on the streets? she needs a home too 🙂
That’s what I was just thinking! I’m hoping the shelter reached out to possibly find the owner some help! If I were living in Wisconsin, I’d take them both in! My heart and prayers go out the woman who’s having such medical problems.
God Bless you for doing your Bess to ensure your dog would be seen and helped.
It is hard for some to understand, but know that many do, and wish they could help.
Have any people reached out to help this lady?
People are going to judge, sadly, but she was brave to have the heart to see for the dog. Blessings for her journey.
Poor her! Cancer and homeless
May God Bless Her and the dog
I’m bawling. 6 years ago, I went through chemo and radiation and my 2 dogs were with me the whole time. I cannot imagine going through chemo and living on the street. I cannot imagine going through cancer treatments without my dogs. May God watch over this brave woman. I hope her dog gets a loving home.
People will judge anything if they can be negative, noone has the right to judge anyone at least she didn’t starve her or neglect her or have her euthanized. Alot of people that sit and judge don’t pay out for Veterinary costs just routine yearly vaccines or heartworm or flea & tick medication. Yet alone dental or any other yearly routines good quality dog food. I know this had to be one of the hardest decisions to surrender your beloved pet it’s like giving up a child. This society has become so judgemental its absurd. I wish people would think about the well-being of their animals before letting them become sick because someone can’t care for them properly.
Kudos to you for trying everything you could alot better than alot of people who have just one dog and keep it outside 24.7 without any companionship what so ever.
My heart goes out to the owner! I hope for the best for her and for her dog.