Regrettably, the abandonment of dogs appears to be a concerning pattern in parts of the nation.
What’s even more troubling is that many individuals no longer think twice about it, even when aware they are being recorded by security cameras.
This time, a “ticketed passenger” casually left their dog tied in the airport parking facility and simply walked away.
It seems he didn’t consider the repercussions of his actions, but ultimately, he got what he deserved.
A Heartbreaking Abandonment
On November 16, 2023, the Allegheny County Police Department (ACPD) shared via their official Facebook page that they discovered an abandoned dog at Pittsburgh International Airport.
The headline clearly conveyed a strong message to all pet owners from the police: “There is no excuse for leaving your pets behind.”
“At around 1:15 pm today, officers from the ACPD were notified about a dog tied to a pole in the short-term parking garage, appearing abandoned,” they stated, adding, “The officers intervened and untied the dog, who fortunately seemed to be in good health.”
The dog was later identified as a Chihuahua, according to a report by WTAE. However, the lack of a microchip hampered efforts to locate its negligent owner.
Nonetheless, the police were quick to act to try to track down the individual responsible for this heartless act.
Commendable Police Efforts
The following day, ACPD updated their audience on their Facebook page.
“We are seeking to identify and speak with the man connected to the abandoned dog left at the airport,” they posted, adding, “We suspect he was a ticketed passenger who spent time at the airport before abandoning the dog in the short-term parking garage prior to his flight.”
They also included images of the potential suspect in this despicable incident.
They urged anyone with information about this man to reach out to their police department.
After several days passed without any new updates regarding this incident, ACPD finally posted a new message on their Facebook page. The news was promising.
They announced that charges have been filed against a man from West Virginia after a dog was discovered at Pittsburgh International Airport five days earlier.
“Thanks to all who provided tips regarding this incident, we have successfully identified the individual in the photos as 68-year-old David Mittelberger Sr. of Windsor Heights, West Virginia,” they noted.
Additionally, they revealed the dog’s name is Mikey, and he was found to have an active infection in his mouth requiring extensive dental treatment.
Consequently, he was transferred to Animal Friends for proper care until he is ready for adoption.
A Recurrent Issue
This situation raises further alarm considering that a similar incident occurred just three months prior at the same location.
On August 4, instead of a Chihuahua, it was a little French Bulldog that faced abandonment. This Frenchie was forsaken by an owner who lacked a crate to transport the dog.
Investigators discovered the owner was informed by airline personnel that the dog needed to be in a crate to fly.
As the owner did not possess a crate at that time, it was easier for her to abandon her pet than to find a proper solution for travel.
Again, the same police department took action. They reiterated their firm message for dog owners, which was also shared on their Facebook page.
“Do not leave your pets behind!” they stated in the post.
However, it appears that this message has failed to resonate with some negligent individuals regarding the care of their pets after choosing to adopt them.
Perhaps Mikey’s owner saw this message but overlooked the update regarding how the Frenchie’s owner was also charged with violations of animal cruelty, neglect, and abandonment. Such information might have prompted him to reconsider his choices.
Nevertheless, justice was served in both cases, and the little Frenchie has found the loving home he deserves.
Mikey is currently in a temporary foster home, but we are optimistic he will soon find caring, responsible owners who would never entertain the thought of abandoning him as his previous owner did.
We also hope that this narrative inspires other pet owners to demonstrate greater responsibility toward their beloved animals, potentially curbing the alarming rise in dog abandonment.
