New Bedford Animal Control Searches for Puppy Abandoned on Video

We have a heartbreaking story to share about an apparent puppy abandonment caught on video near the Betsey B. Winslow School in New Bedford.

You may remember last year, one of the many trends that emerged from the COVID-19 pandemic and social distancing was the red-hot idea of adopting a new puppy. People took advantage of the extra time at home to add puppies into their families. Puppies became so scarce that shelters had none to offer. That's a great problem to have – at least until the new owners decide that a dog doesn't fit into their lifestyle.

That seems to be the case with the owner of this puppy. A Ring video has emerged that appears to show a young woman jumping out of a silver Toyota Tacoma, getting a dog out of the back seat, and letting it loose in front of a home on Allen Street, not far from the Betsey B. Winslow School in New Bedford. The video is timestamped Monday morning at 8 a.m.

"Take care, Buddy," said the woman as she jumped back into the passenger seat of the Tacoma moments before the silver truck shifts into drive and takes off heading east towards St. Luke's Hospital, leaving the puppy alone. The puppy, who doesn't seem to understand the gravity of the situation, followed the truck, wagging his yellow tail.

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New Bedford Animal Control Officer Manny Maciel said Animal Control searched the entire area, but couldn't find the dog.

New Bedford Animal Control is eager to find the woman on the video, presumed to be the owner. "We want to make sure the dog is OK. If she doesn't want the dog, we're more than happy to take the dog out and put it in a good home," Maciel said.

Anyone with information is being asked to contact New Bedford Animal Control at (508) 991-6366.