by Menlo, GA – Authorities and animal rescuers are actively searching for a man who cruelly abandoned his loyal dog, Apollo, on the side of a busy Georgia road. The mixed-breed canine was found injured and alone, sparking outrage and concern within the local community.
Luck’s Rescue Center recently discovered Apollo suffering from injuries that suggest he may have been hit by a car. This heartbreaking incident highlights the ongoing issue of pet abandonment in rural parts of the Southern United States.
How Apollo Was Found and Rescued
Audray Luck of Luck’s Rescue Center, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, found Apollo on Old State Road in Menlo, Georgia. The dog was discovered with a limp, an open wound on his back, and peeling paw pads from running on the hot road. It took Audray 48 hours to locate Apollo and several more hours to gain his trust.
“It took me 48 hours to locate him and another couple hours to gain his trust,” Luck told Newsweek. “He was very scared when I found him and had a slight limp. He had an open wound on his back, possibly from a wild animal attack, and his paws were severely damaged from running on the hot road.”
The dog had been lured out by his owner under the pretense of going for a walk before being abandoned on the side of the road. Luck shared CCTV footage on social media showing an older man in a t-shirt and cargo shorts exiting a vehicle with Apollo, only to leave him behind and quickly drive away.
Outcry and Official Response
Audray Luck delivered a strong message to the man responsible, stating, “Shame on the man who abandoned him. We will find you.” She emphasized the dangers of such reckless abandonment in a location with accelerating vehicles.
“There are cars zooming by and whizzing by. So when someone goes to abandon a dog like that, their chances of survival are very low,” Luck explained.
This case shines a light on a broader problem in Dade County, Georgia, which lacks a formal animal shelter, leaving rescue efforts primarily in the hands of local volunteers and nonprofits like Luck’s Rescue. Luck warns the public about the legal and ethical consequences of abandoning pets, reminding everyone that such acts are illegal.
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Next Steps for Apollo and the Community
Thanks to the tireless efforts of Audray Luck and her team, Apollo is now safe and available for adoption through Luck’s Rescue Center. The rescue organization continues to work to locate the individual responsible for this abandonment and urges the community to remain vigilant against similar cases.
- Apollo is recovering and ready for a new loving home.
- Luck’s Rescue Center operates as a nonprofit and relies on community support for ongoing animal rescue efforts.
- Dade County’s lack of animal shelter facilities increases the importance of local rescue groups.
- Members of the public are encouraged to report any information about pet abandonment.
For more details on this case, visit the original report on People.com.
What do you think about this heartbreaking case of animal abandonment? Have you ever had experience with rescue organizations like Luck’s Rescue? Share your thoughts and stories in the comments below!
