A whole lot of people on social media, along with readers of the Rhino Times, can rest easier now that a badly emaciated dog that was constantly seen with the owner in and around Friendly Center is in the hands of Guilford County Animal Services.
The dog was the focus of a recent Facebook post in which the poster and many commenters who had also seen the dog expressed concern that the owner was starving the dog to death.
Many of those who posted their views on Facebook and who commented on a Rhino Times story about the situation said they hoped the police or Animal Services did more than cite the owner, since the dog was in obvious distress. One Facebook poster said she had witnessed the owner even taunting the hungry dog with food just to cruelly take it away.
The dog can be seen in a well-fed state in the picture above, which was taken before the owner in question got control of the animal. Pictures taken after the owner took the dog showed a much different looking animal – one that was essentially skin and bones.
Guilford County Animal Services Director Jorge Ortega informed the Rhino Times on Wednesday, Nov. 17 that the dog was now in the hands of the county.
“The dog is currently here at the resource center,” Ortega wrote in an email, referring to the nice new animal shelter the county opened in 2021.
Animal Services, with pets, is a lot like Guilford County Socials Services is with children: The first choice is always to keep them with the family but, in some instances, there’s really no other choice but to take the animal from the owner or the kids from the parents.
Ortega said that his department prefers not to split up animals from their owners.
“We focus on keeping pets and people together,” he stated.
Surely this dog will not be returned to the owner. We all can see how returning children to abusive parents works out most of the time.
Who worries about the owner, I’m guessing the Rhino only is concerned about the dog also. Sad for both.
Did you read the article? The owner was taunting the dog with food
Were animal abuse charges brought against the owner? I hope so. I’m a little confused by the dates. The date of this article is May 18 but the info from Jorge Ortega says Nov. 17. ???? Anyhow, I sure hope the poor doggie is being cared for and fed.
If I’m not mistaken, I saw the same guy with two dogs walking near Friendly Center yesterday. Has he gotten two more dogs? People in and around Friendly Shopping Center keep your eyes out to make sure this doesn’t happen again.
I Would like to thank you Scott for sharing this update and for sharing the story before. I hope if you hear anything more you’ll update us. Praying they want return the dog to this man again though.
“Please Guilford County Animal Shelter” please don’t let him re-adopt this sweet pooch.
Obviously he has mental issues which unfortunately causes him to be able to take care of animals since he obviously needs supervision himself .
Yes , Thank you Scott D.Yost for posting about this story and update. I hope both the animal and Gentleman are both getting the care they deserve.
I also wanted to Thank the lady who posted about this on Facebook and got the attention that this story needed.. also I’m sure Rhinotimes doesn’t only just care about the dog but the man as well. But animal abuse is abuse and any animal that is in that kind of situation does not deserve that and should be taken out of that kind of treatment just like a human deserves not to have to live like that…
An Animal can’t speak for itself so it has to rely on others to speak for them and you better believe that I will speak for them if I can. Again I hope that the Gentleman is doing better as well ..
I refer to the “gentleman” as a “Dastardly Dipstick”.
The Gentleman is my son,Ryan. He has not always been like this. He refuses help. We have tried to get him help to no avail and he has declined over the last several years. We are powerless and sick as his parents.
He is sick and my son.
Dear Paula,
I am so sorry to hear that. Please don’t give up on him. Pray as hard as you can for him and maybe one day he’ll come around and accept help.. mental illness is very hard to cope with both for the individual and the family.. my prayers go out to your family and son. I hope good news will come soon for everyone..
I appreciate all that the Greensboro community has done for Ryan and his dog, Alex. I have not given up on Ryan. He needs help but refuses. Please pray for him.
I sure will Paula . I hope he comes around and will accept help very soon.. I hope Alex the dog is doing better to.
He oughta be put down. If my son turned into such trash I’d disown him. How he abused that animal is unforgiveable.
Walk a mile in my shoes before you judge so strongly.
You are very blessed that you haven’t had to deal with these problems. I never in a million years thought I would either.