A heartbreaking scene unfolded at a Dunkin' Donuts in Santa Fe, New Mexico in 2017.
An unknown man, whose face can clearly be seen in surveillance footage, stopped into Dunkin' Donuts for a cup of coffee. But when he pulled up in his van, he wasn't alone.
Before entering the store, the man opened his door and let a confused female dog out of the vehicle. He proceeded to enter Dunkin' Donuts while ignoring the dog as she stood outside all alone.
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Footage shows the man leaving this poor dog behind — and with a heartbreaking note attached to her collar.
During the cold winter months, countless customers visit their local Dunkin' Donuts for a cup of coffee and some warm pastries.
But on the morning of December 26, 2017, City Animal Services in Santa Fe received a concerning phone call about a bizarre and troubling scene outside the popular coffee chain.
According to a witness and surveillance footage, a man parked his dark-colored Chevy Venture van outside Dunkin' Donuts.
The driver opened his door and let a female dog out of the vehicle.
She stood there, confused on the walkway, as the man kept on walking without tying her up outside.
The man then entered the Dunkin' Donuts and ordered himself a cup of coffee.
The dog had followed the man to the front door of the doorway, but he ignored her as she stood outside looking in.
A heartbreaking handwritten note was found attached to the dog's collar:
"I'm free. I'm having babies."
Animals are all too often dumped on the side of the road, abandoned outside businesses or simply neglected.
According to DoSomething.org, approximately 2.7 million dogs and cats are euthanized every year because shelters are too full and there aren't enough adoptive homes.
In this case, authorities couldn't find footage of the man driving to or from the business, so they couldn't record the license plate information.
That's where they needed the public to step in to help.
Animal Services, and the Sante Fe community at large, hoped someone out there can identify the man seen in the surveillance video.
Some commenters decided to give the man the benefit of the doubt; perhaps he didn't have the means to properly care for the dog.
But the majority of readers were appalled by his decision to dump the poor dog outside where she could have been killed, rather than safely bring her to a shelter.
Meanwhile, the wonderful folks at the Santa Fe Animal Shelter and Humane Society quickly took the abandoned dog in.
After her story went viral, the staff began receiving an influx of inquiries about her status and wellbeing.
"While authorities continue to seek out the person that abandoned her there, we have good news to report," the shelter wrote on Facebook.
"After a thorough examination by our doctors, she is stable and doing well. We do not yet know whether or not she is pregnant at this time, but we will be monitoring her over the next few days.
She actually participated in one of our playgroups today and did great. She loves people!"
"We can’t thank all of you enough for your concern for this amazing dog.
Unfortunately, stories like this are all too common.
But, it’s people like you that care and truly make a difference in the life of these animals."
Santa Fe police released photos in the effort to bring this man to justice.
As for the pup? She was adopted and is reportedly doing very well.
Please SHARE this story with your friends on Facebook. Maybe you or someone you know recognizes the man in question.
