SPCA: Couple abandons adopted dog, second dog found days later

Adoption center rescues dog, second dog found safe

BREVARD COUNTY, Fla. – Two dogs adopted at the SPCA Brevard Adoption Center were abandoned this week and had to be rescued, according to the SPCA.

The Titusville shelter said a young couple from Christmas adopted the staff's favorite dogs and best friends Copper and Star in April, only to dump them this week.

Susan Naylor, the SPCA's public relations coordinator, said at first the couple appeared to be a perfect match for the dogs.

"We loved them. They had great personalities. You could tell they really cared about the dogs at that time," Naylor said.

For a month following the April 13 adoption, Naylor said the couple texted the SPCA updates about the dogs, writing they were doing great and sending pictures showing the dogs were happy.

But then on Tuesday, SPCA officials said they received a call from Seminole County Animal Services saying that Copper had been abandoned.

"They told us they picked him up at a dog park, that he had been just left, turned loose," Naylor said.

An hour away, Naylor's team rushed to the rescue and brought home Copper.

The dog is about 10 pounds thinner, but Naylor said he'll be OK.

The SPCA contacted the couple after Copper was rescued to ask about Star, but Naylor said they did not make it clear where the dog was.

Star was found two days later, alone in the woods in Winter Springs. She had some cuts, but will be alright, Naylor said.

Naylor said through text messages the couple said they were moving and couldn't take care of the dogs anymore so they tried giving them to Seminole County Animal Services but were turned away.

Seminole Animal Services told News 6 Thursday the couple called them to report they left Copper at the dog park and therefore will not face animal abandonment charges.

Under Florida law, a person can be fined up to $5,000 for abandoning an animal.

Naylor said Copper and Star will eventually be put up for adoption again.


About the Author:

James joined News 6 in March 2016 as the Brevard County Reporter. His arrival was the realization of a three-year effort to return to the state where his career began. James is from Pittsburgh, PA and graduated from Penn State in 2009 with a degree in Broadcast Journalism.

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