A story of doggy betrayal has gone viral after a woman ditched her 13-year-old Labrador at a park and simply drove away in her fancy Tesla.
The Shocking Abandonment
The heartbreaking scene was caught on a neighbor's security camera.
Poor Henry, who had been with his owner since he was just a puppy, thought he was just going for a nice walk at Orchards Park in Vancouver, Washington. Instead, his owner had other plans.
The footage shows the woman taking off Henry's collar and ID before leading him to a trailhead. She then makes a dash back to her car and speeds away, leaving her confused senior dog behind.
"This woman thought the best way to get rid of a dog was to take him to Orchards Park in Vancouver, WA tonight and leave him there to watch her drive off in her Tesla with Oregon Plates," wrote the local rescue group I Paw'd It Forward on Facebook.
The Loyal Dog Who Waited
The most gut-wrenching part? Henry just stood there, waiting for his owner to come back.
While Henry's owner was back at home in Portland telling friends and family that her dog had died, the loyal pup was waiting across state lines, probably wondering what he did wrong.
Thankfully, good people spotted Henry and called the police. The senior dog was then taken to I Paw'd It Forward animal rescue.
Owner Tracked Down
The viral video led to a flood of tips that helped police identify the woman. They tracked her down to her home in Portland, Oregon.
When confronted, the woman claimed she felt "forced" to abandon her dog, but rescuers weren't buying her story.
"This animal abuser came in after Animal Control posted her door in Portland," said I Paw'd It Forward on Facebook. "She drove her lovely Tesla to the meeting so she could cry her fake tears and make up her fake story."
"She did finally admit it, but she really had no choice. I Have ZERO EMPATHY FOR HER. Less than zero even."
Facing Consequences
The woman is now facing potential misdemeanor and civil charges for animal cruelty.
"Abandonment is considered to be animal cruelty," explained an animal control officer involved in the case.
The woman claimed she "had run out of options" and couldn't find a home for Henry on her own. But rescuers and authorities say there's never an excuse for abandoning your pet this way.
Help Is Available
While times are tough for many pet owners due to economic hardships, there are always better options than abandonment.
Local shelters, animal rescues, and pet food pantries can help with food, vet care, and even rehoming. The Humane Society has resources available for pet owners struggling to afford their animals.
As for Henry, the sweet senior dog is now safe at I Paw'd It Forward while officials investigate the case. Although heartbroken over being abandoned, at least this good boy is now in caring hands.
Rescuers summed it up best: "Sad for a 13-year-old dog who had to even feel one second of what it feels like to be abandoned."