WAYNE, Mich. (WXYZ) — A man tied up and abandoned a dog behind a local strip mall. Now, police are asking for the public's help tracking him down.
The dog is doing well and in good hands after being tied up and left at a pizza shop. Thankfully, a neighbor found the dog and called police immediately.
The dog is playful and outgoing, and may not be able to tell the story of why it was recently abandoned. However, surveillance video released by police shows a man leaving the tied up K-9 behind a smoke shop at Little Caesars.
Animal lover Donna Johnston found the dog looking sad and knew something was wrong.
"Frantic (and) yelping," Johnston said she found the dog. "It wasn’t familiar in our neighborhood. I checked it out and looked to see this dog that was tied up.”
CAUGHT ON VIDEO: Wayne Police are searching for this man, after he was seen ABANDONING a dog behind a pizza shop at Howe Rd. & Annapolis. A neighbor who heard the dog yelping, quickly called police, who then helped RESCUE the K-9. The dog is now SAFE. @wxyzdetroit #6PM pic.twitter.com/kKWZudXAjD
— Simon Shaykhet WXYZ (@simonshaykhet) July 8, 2019
After a call to police, the dog was freed. Detectives gathered clues near Howe Road and Annapolis Sunday after 6 a.m. It's unknown who the dog belongs to at this point, however, Johnston is just relieved it's safe and no longer left out in dangerous heat.
"(The dog) appeared to be in good health," Johnston said. "Very friendly, well groomed. We did give it some food and water."
Johnston added, "Dumping an animal for any reason is not an answer. There's shelters, authorities – call somebody."
The dog is now safe at the Wayne Animal Shelter. If you recognize the man on video, please call the Wayne Police Department right away.