23-05-2025
Dog abandoned outside of Las Vegas shelter taken by passerby, shelter says
LAS VEGAS (KLAS) — A dog abandoned outside of a Las Vegas shelter after hours was taken by a random passerby, the shelter said.
According to the Nevada Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA), on the morning of Wednesday, May 21, staff arrived at the Las Vegas shelter to find an empty crate placed at the entrance of the building.
Security cameras show two people leaving the crate, which contained what appeared to be an English Bulldog, outside of the shelter on Tuesday, May 20, shortly after the shelter closed.
The dog was left unattended for nearly four hours before a random passerby removed the animal. The shelter said they do not know where the dog is.
'Abandoning an animal in this way is not only heartbreaking—it's illegal and dangerous,' Nevada SPCA Executive Director, Lori Heeren, said. 'We offer resources to help struggling pet owners, including our Community Support Program and owner surrender appointments. There is no need to resort to abandonment.'
The Nevada SPCA said the incident was particularly alarming because of the vulnerability of brachyecephalic breeds, such as bulldogs, pugs, and French bulldogs, to heat.
The health risks of leaving pets outdoors and unattended are severe, especially with the rising temperatures in Southern Nevada.
The NSPCA reported the incident to Animal Protective Services and said there is an investigation ongoing.
If you or someone you know needs help caring for a pet, please reach out to Nevada SPCA for assistance by calling (702) 873-7722 or visiting the website at
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