By Karen Haave
A friendly pooch initially thought to be left behind at a Monee restaurant has been reunited with his owner.
First reports were the dog was tied to the dumpster at the Burger King restaurant on Monee-Manhattan Road Tuesday night. A note was attached to his collar: “I’m King. I’m a good boy. Love to hug and kiss. Birthday July 22, 2018.”
The resident who found King immediately called Monee Police. Sgt. Evie Lazzaroni took the call.
When photos of the dog were posted on Facebook, the initial reactions ranged from anger that anyone would leave an animal behind, to sadness that a sweet dog was abandoned that way.
But that wasn’t the whole story.
“After we posted about the original story, the next day the owner went to South Suburban Humane Society to let them know she had fallen on hard times and was forced to give up King due to her living situation,” Lazzaroni explained.
“I was told by a member of the owner’s family the note was written by the owner and a family member/acquaintance then drove the dog to our PD. Apparently the dog was never tied to a dumpster, but I was told that when the person originally dropped King off at the PD.
“I’m assuming they fabricated him being a stray in the Burger King parking lot, because they knew we don’t take animal surrenders, but if a dog is left at a business or running through a parking lot unattended, we would have to take it.
“Due to the dog never being abandoned or placed in harm’s way, we agreed with SSHS that we should try to reunite King with his owner.
“I think that is the best outcome for him, since the owner definitely took great care of him. SSHS has given the owner a timeline of 30 days to try to find new housing and, in the meantime, someone will foster King, and hopefully when they secure a new place to live they will be reunited.
“If that doesn’t happen then, King will be put up for adoption.
“I would encourage anyone who finds themselves in a situation where they are having to choose between keeping their dog or giving them up due to unforeseen circumstances that they contact a shelter and ask for assistance.
“I know South Suburban Humane Society does provide assistance to try to help keep pets with their owners and can also supply them with additional resources, as well.”
The South Suburban Humane Society is at 21800 Central Ave, in Matteson.
For information, call (708) 755-7387 or check out their Facebook page.
