Community members in the Wilsonburg neighborhood are concerned about the safety of a dog living alone in an RV next to Lesson’s Family Restaurant and Coffee Shop. They say the dog has lived there throughout the winter and now into the summer, and they just want to see it get the care it deserves.
“The dog has been locked up in the RV since winter. The owners only came once. The RV is filled with feces. There’s no food there’s no water,” said Mandy Wells.
“There’s been 85 degree days lately where the windows and stuff, he’s been locked in. He’s not let out. The only place that this dog has to sleep is the front seat because everything else is covered,” said Wells.
Wells says she has contacted Harrison County Animal Control and the Sheriff’s Department to see if something can be done. 5 News reached out to Animal Control who says they operate under the direction of the Sheriff’s Department. Lieutenant Collins says they are monitoring the situation.
“Now that the weather is changed we’re stopping periodically and checking the heat inside of the trailer and everything else. At this point and time until it gets hot enough to where it’s an issue for the dog, the owner isn’t in any violation of anything and there’s nothing we can really do with it,” said Lieutenant Charles Collins, of the Harrison County Sheriffs Department.
5 News caught up with the son of the dogs owner who says his father does in fact care for the dog. He says the RV is only a temporary shelter for the animal.
“He wasn’t able to keep him out there anymore. We had a fence tear down and he wasn’t able to keep him there. Wasn’t really his choice. He is well taken care of. Has plenty of food and water in there. You can see he is a big dog. Get’s walked everyday,” said Michael Lesson, son of the dog owner.
Community members say they hope the owner will soon provide a more suitable home for the animal.
“We want that dog out of the RV and into a home where he is being loved and taken care of. He’s a sweet dog, he’s a loving dog. There’s people out there who love Pitt Bulls and he would make a good family pet,” said Wells.
Mr. Lesson says his father is currently working to build a new kennel for the dog to be housed in.
