The senior dog, who is 14 years old and was abandoned by his family in Detroit, is looking for a new home that will be his everlasting home.
Through their Facebook page, Detroit Pit Crew Dog Rescue made the announcement that Duke had been “betrayed by his family” on the previous Friday, April 11.
As a result of Duke being reported as a stray, the Eastpointe Police Animal Control Division was contacted, as stated by the organization.
Upon arrival, the animal control department of the police department observed that the senior dog had made multiple efforts to enter the residence that was the source of the incident.
“Can you imagine not feeling too well and being a 14-year-old senior dog in a home with your family who promised to love and care for you when suddenly they put you outside and called the police animal control department to report you as a stray?” according to the social media post.
“And then when an officer arrived and saw you continuing to try to go into your house, the family who you loved dearly denied knowing you,” it added.
This was made possible by the fact that Duke was equipped with a microchip, which allowed the Eastpointe Police Animal Control Division to ascertain that he belonged “to the person who reported him as a stray.”
After hearing his story, DPCDR stated that they “stepped up to sponsor Duke’s medical care by providing financial support.” Following his arrival at a veterinary clinic, it was discovered that he was suffering from Lyme disease and had “concerning bloodwork.”
“Serious legal consequences for Duke’s abandonment,” the animal rescue organization is certain that the owners of the dog will be held accountable for their actions.
“At this time, our number one concern is making sure that Duke gets all the medical care he needs to recover so that he will have the opportunity to live in a home with a family that truly loves and cares for him,” they stated via Facebook.
On April 12, DPCDR posted a video update in which it interviewed Officer Ashley Sanchez of the Eastpointe Police Animal Control Division as she was feeding a “emaciated” and “quite dehydrated” Duke.
She attested that Duke’s microchip helped officials identify the caller who reported him as a stray as his owner.
Regarding the owner, Sanchez claimed that “she knowingly abandoned him,” adding that Duke “just kept trying to get back to his house.”
“He kept going from his front door, then kept going to the side back gate, just trying to get in his property. He didn’t understand why he was out there,” according to the officer.
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When the police got to the house, Sanchez’s owner was “acting like she doesn’t even know him,” according to a woman who was watching Sanchez while she fed Duke.
After discovering that Duke belonged to the woman, Sanchez returned to her truck to do some digging and attempted to confront her, but his owner “wouldn’t answer the door” and behaved like a coward instead.
The owner will be given citations, including for fabricating a police report, and Sanchez has already had a conversation with a prosecutor.
The most recent DPCDR update states that Duke “is improving.”
