Foreclosure Pets Abandoned To Fend For Themselves

September 21st, 2008

A new word has been coined – foreclosure pets. These foreclosure pets are abandoned to fend for themselves as their human owners struggle to survive.

Endless individual stories are filtering through that speak of human callousness and cruelty. Few months ago a big Rottweiler was one of the foreclosure victims in Vallejo. The dog was recently rescued by the Benicia-Vallejo Humane Society, from a yard in Maple Avenue. The dog would be kept under observation before being put up for adoption or sent to another shelter that has more specialized facilities.

Brian Brisco the Animal Control Officer commented that the humane society has attended to about dozen complaints pertaining to animals abandoned in empty foreclosed houses. The dogs are the worst sufferers although in one house was found four cats.

In response to the changed foreclosure situation a new state law (AB2949) has been inked that will permit animal control personnel to swiftly rescue abandoned foreclosure pets. The officers will also have the power to seize the animal without prior notice. The animal control staff will also be empowered to obtain a lien against the owners for payment of expenses incurred in rescue operations. The new law becomes effective from January 2009.

As per existing legal rules a notice has to be posted within 24 to 48 houses. Nevertheless it is up to the discretionary powers of the officers to take the animal in charge if it is seen that the creature needs immediate attention.

Sgt. Justine Lavalle says that in many cases the owners of animals who have left the foreclosed houses come back regularly to take care of the pets until they find alternative arrangements. But in many cases the owners are either so pressed or callous that they do not come back. Lavalle recounted the instance of a pit bull left caged in a backyard without food, water or even shade. Lavalle’s team immediately rescued it.

The tenants of the house abandoned the Rottweiler. Two padlocks weighing about 10 pounds served as the purpose of the collar. The rest was only 3’ long. Even if a bowl had been left the dog would never have been able to reach it mired as it was in its own urine and feces. Initially the thin dog was very aggressive when rescued but greedily started eating and drinking in gulps. Soon it responded to care with wags and licks! The Maple society is trying to locate the tenants.