NORTH OGDEN — A Shih Tzu dog that may have been left to fend for itself inside an abandoned house for nearly two weeks was taken into custody Monday morning by Weber County Animal Control.
North Ogden Police Officer Paul Rhoades said animal control and police officers went to the home, on the 2600 North block of 250 East, and found the dog, which had been reported by a concerned neighbor.
The neighbor, Brian Brockbrader, said he’d been complaining to police about the situation for several days.
Rhoades said police had visited the home over the weekend, but did not hear or see any signs of the dog being in the home.
Animal control was summoned Monday morning, and an officer came out holding the dog.
“Hopefully, the dog can be placed with a family that can take care of it,” Rhoades said.
He noted that the dog seemed stressed but did not appear to be malnourished.
Rhoades said the former tenants of the home likely would be charged with either animal cruelty or neglect.
An email from Carl Arky, director of communications for the Humane Society of Utah, stated he had received emails over the weekend from Brockbrader, who expressed concerns over the situation and a lack of action on the part of the police.
However, Arky said his agency did not have police power and was prevented from going onto or inside the property to investigate and remove any dogs.
Arky was hoping media representatives would put pressure on North Ogden police to take swift action.
Several news agencies responded to Arky’s email and reported on the situation Monday.
In an email to the Humane Society, which Arky forwarded, Brockbrader said his neighbor was foreclosed on and moved around Feb. 22.
Brockbrader said he first saw the dog last Wednesday. When he saw it again Saturday, he called police.
But the neighbor said when a responding officer didn’t see the dog through a window of the abandoned home, he was told he’d have to wait until Monday for officers to look into the home.
The neighbor is relieved that the dog now has a new place to stay.
“It had been in there the best part of two weeks,” Brockbrader said of the abandoned dog.
“It was very scared. Every time I would see it, I would try to get a picture because the city didn’t believe me. It’s a good thing it’s alive and rescued.”
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