Karen Black: Arizona woman, 62, arrested and accused of animal cruelty after abandoning her elderly, blind dog on highway
PHOENIX, ARIZONA: An incident of alleged animal cruelty in Arizona has led to the arrest of a 62-year-old woman named Karen Black, hailing from Phoenix.
The charges against Black stem from a distressing discovery made by the Cochise County Sheriff's Office involving an elderly and visually impaired dog found wandering perilously close to a highway exit ramp connecting I-10 and Skyline Road in Benson, Arizona.
A timely intervention by Sheriff Dannels and wife
The incident unfolded on August 26, around 11.30 am, when Sheriff Dannels and his wife, Nickie, chanced upon the bewildered canine during their drive.
The Sheriff's Office swiftly took action and shared details of the incident on their official Facebook page. According to their account, Sheriff Dannels and his wife secured the trembling dog within their vehicle, ensuring its safety.
The post read, "A Cochise County Sheriff's Office Animal Control Officer took custody of the dog and determined the dog was chipped with the last registered owner out of Maricopa County."
However, the situation took a significant turn when Sheriff Dannels and Community Outreach Supervisor, Sergeant Ray McNeely, attended a community event in Phoenix on September 6 and decided to delve deeper into the matter and locate the owner.
However, the authorities were led to Black's residence in central Phoenix. Upon questioning, Black initially denied any connection to Cochise County but later admitted to leaving the dog alongside the highway.
Her admission included the startling revelation that she had failed to notify law enforcement about the abandonment and had also ignored the Sheriff's Office's attempts to reach out to her.
Legal proceedings loom for Karen Black, while abandoned canine awaits rescue
Consequently, Black now faces impending court proceedings scheduled for late September in Cochise County, where she will be called to address the charges lodged against her.
Meanwhile, the dog, whose identity remains undisclosed, awaits its fate in a shelter until the legal proceedings conclude.
Woman charged with animal cruelty for abandoning French Bulldog at Pittsburg airport
The above disheartening incident comes mere weeks after another case of animal abandonment made headlines, this time involving a woman who abandoned her dog at a parking lot near Pittsburgh International Airport.
The incident unfolded after being informed that she could not bring the pet on board without an appropriate crate.
The French bulldog was discovered unattended in a stroller at approximately 5.30 am near the airport's short-term parking area on August 4.
Efforts to identify and locate the owner were initiated, aided by a microchip embedded in the dog's neck. However, these endeavors proved fruitless as attempts to contact the unidentified woman yielded no results.
Fortunately, the seven-year-old canine was found to be in good health despite the ordeal and was subsequently placed in the care of a local animal shelter, where it now awaits the possibility of a more compassionate and responsible home.
Authorities have indicated their intention to pursue charges of animal abandonment against the owner, a violation that carries a maximum fine of up to $1000 and underscores the importance of responsible pet ownership and humane treatment of animals.
