Missing boxer found
Homeless man traded alcohol for pup
After missing from his home since Sunday, a 6-month-old puppy was returned to his owner Wednesday afternoon. Officials from the Placer Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals recovered Dodger, a six-month-old white boxer who is deaf, from a man who described himself as homeless. The special needs boxer was taken from the shelter’s location in Roseville sometime after 5 p.m. Sunday and a little before 7 a.m. Monday. “The Placer SPCA had received numerous calls over the last several days, but this one was the one that panned out,” said Leilani Vierra, Placer SPCA chief executive officer, in a news release. Vierra coordinated a meeting time and place with the man, who declined to give his name. Wednesday afternoon, Vierra along with Placer SPCA Director of Operations Matt Green, met the man behind a fast food restaurant in Sacramento County. The man told Green and Vierra that he did not acquire Dodger from the shelter but instead “bought” him when he traded a bottle of alcohol for the dog, the news release stated. He said when he read a newspaper article about Dodger’s disappearance he decided to turn in the pet. Dodger was returned to Mary Terrell, the humane educator for Placer SPCA. Terrell will take Dodger with her on her educational presentations. Dodger will help teach children about compassion, respect, overcoming adversity and kindness, the news release stated. While the man did not ask for the $2,000 reward the Placer SPCA offered for Dodger’s safe return, Green and Vierra gave him $100. Vierra said when she gave the man the money she thanked him for doing the right thing. He replied that he had not “done the right thing” often in his life and but maybe today was the day when he had, the news release stated. “This has kind of given us a stronger, better feeling about humanity overall,” Vierra said Thursday. Vierra said officials still do not know how someone accessed the center and Dodger’s cage after hours. She said the shelter is looking at ways to further ensure the safety of its animals. “Our whole mission is keeping animals safe,” Vierra said. “We’re going to do everything possible on our end to make sure this does not happen again.” The Journal's Jenifer Gee can be reached at jeniferg@goldcountrymedia.com or post a comment.
|
Change Location:
|
You offer a $2000 reward but give this guy $100? I dont get it. He did not take the dog. If he were not a homeless man, would he have gotten the $2000?
I thought the same thing. Why wasn't he given the reward that was offered?
The story that appeared in the Bee said that the reward was offered and he refused it.
I saw on the TV news that he refused the money, and only wanted a good meal and a place to stay. I wish they could have given him lodging and a restaurant/food gift card worth the $2,000, if he was opposed to taking the money.
This man did the right thing. This is not the first time I have heard fo the homeless people trading pets for immediate needs. Why did Vierra and company do something to make a difference in this mans life. Isn't all about KARMA anyway ? Point to Ponder.
I am glad dodger was returned safely to his home and loving owner.
What an example of 'doing the right thing' this man showed everyone; however, I agree that maybe he could have been given a gift card to be able to at least get groceries for himself. It was very commendable that he did what he did without regard for getting compensated. We could all take a lesson from that.
How about giving the $2000 to Gathering Inn, which serves homeless people in the Roseville and Auburn areas?
The reward for the doing "the right thing" has already been given to the man. He was finally able to provide something for humanity. This is a person that has probably gotten by in life by making poor choices that have affected other people negatively. How about giving back? Free of charge?
This is the mentality that is ruining our country. Work for your place in the world! That's it! That's what you are free to do here. We shouldn't keep rewarding people for stealing from innocent people who do all the right things all of the time. I see it everywhere. And because we want to make everyone feel good and happy, regardless of the work they've put into themselves and society, we end up with a country that is afraid to stand up and say, "Hey! Give BACK!"