Louisville Metro Animal Services asking for help identifying person who left dog chained to shelter gate

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- Louisville Metro Animal Services is asking for the public's help in identifying a person who left a dog chained up to its shelter on Newburg Road.

LMAS said the person, seen wearing an orange shirt in surveillance footage, tied a 3-year-old male pit bull to the gate outside its shelter at 3516 Newburg Road around 5 a.m. Sunday. It was still dark outside and temperatures were only in the low 30s. By the time a staff member spotted the dog an hour to 90 minutes later, officials said he was freezing cold and lethargic.

"The dog was not responsive ... It was freezing to death," LMAS Animal Control Supervisor Adam Hamilton said.

Hamilton believes the dog would not have survived outside much longer. The dog was taken to Jefferson Animal Hospital and arrived hypothermic and severely dehydrated, Hamilton said. The dog was treated at the animal hospital and is expected to recover.

The dog was left tied up with food, water, a bone and a thin blanket, but officials say the person who left him made a very dangerous choice. It's also illegal to abandon an animal like this in Jefferson County. Large signs are posted right outside of the shelter to warn people about the consequences.

"The best solution is to wait until we open, come in here, talk to one of our people, see if we can help you out," Hamilton said. "Talk to the other organizations ... and see if somebody can give you the help you need before you just go and dump your dog somewhere."

LMAS' stray hold is five days. If the dog isn't claimed, he'll likely go to a foster home until he gains enough weight to be considered for adoption. He weighs about 43 pounds, LMAS said, but should weigh 55 to 65 pounds.

Officials said they weren't able to get the license plate number but believe the person who dropped the dog off is a man.

"We need to talk to this person and find out what happened," Hamilton said. "Why did you tie it up?"

Anyone who can identify the dog, its owner or the vehicle is encouraged to call 502-574-LMPD (5673).