In an update to the story, NBC Bay Area says a woman came forward to claim the dog who was found with “Free” written on her fur in black marker.
They say she had the medical records, pictures, and witness testimony to show she’s the true owner of the dog.
The woman said she has no idea how her dog escaped and ended up 60 miles away from home. Police are confident she had nothing to do with the abandonment or writing on the fur.
The dog was found tied to a tree with the words “Free” and “I need a good home” on her fur in black marker. It was Shannon Bettencourt who came across the dog in Benicia, California.
Source: NY Daily News
“The first thing I thought was to call the police but then I was like no, they’re going to call animal control,” Bettencourt said. “I didn’t know what could happen from there. I was like no way, I’ll at least keep her for the night.”
Source: NY Daily News
Shannon fell in love with the dog and wanted to keep her, but then the news broke about the original owner coming forward to claim the dog.
Either way, it appears to be a happy ending for a dog who suffered a sickening act of cruelty. We may never know who was ultimately responsible for the mistreatment.
