The Calgary Humane Society is hoping to find a woman believed to have abandoned a blind and ill dog at a Petland store in Sunridge Mall.
The dog, an older female Maltese or Bichon, was suffering from “severe neglect” according to a Thursday news release.
It was left at the pet store at about noon on Feb. 21.
Surveillance video from the store shows a woman entering with what appears to be something stuffed into her jacket. Minutes later, the same woman can be seen leaving the store with her jacket loose and open.
According to Petland’s corporate management trainer Tiffany Delorme, staff was alerted to the dog by a customer.
“A guest had come up to make a purchase at till and pointed out there was a dog on the floor, questioning whether if it was one of our rescues that have gotten out,” Delorme said. “After looking, we couldn’t find the owner. So we brought her into the office, gave her a bed and some water and called Calgary Humane Society.”
Delorme said the dog was very weak and lethargic, and was unable to stand up on its own.
The humane society said the immobile dog was found after the woman left.
“Examination of the dog revealed a very poor prognosis due to untreated diabetes,” the humane society explained. “Diabetic animals that go untreated suffer immensely.”
“Veterinarians determined the dog needed to be euthanized to end its suffering.”
Investigators with the Calgary Humane Society are hoping someone might be able to identify the woman in the security video.
WATCH: The Calgary Humane Society is hoping to identify a woman believed to have abandoned a dog at the Sunridge Petland in the northeast. Christa Dao explains.
“While some may see this as a semi-responsible abandonment as it was done indoors at a pet store, it remains irresponsible, inappropriate and criminal,” spokesperson Brad Nichols said.
“There are a multitude of veterinary clinics in the area, as well as the services of Calgary Humane Society, that could have been utilized rather than dumping an elderly, blind dog in unfamiliar surroundings.”
Petland staff who deal with rescues and other animals on a regular basis said they were disappointed the owner didn’t seek out other options.
“It’s all about knowledge,” Delorme said. “I don’t know this woman would have known there are resources for her and her pet. It’s an unfortunate situation that I hope people would now know to make an educated decision.”
Anyone with information on the incident is asked to call the Calgary Humane Society at 403-205-4455 or contact them online via calgaryhumane.ca.