Early Thursday morning in Woodburn, police found a German shepherd tied to a heavy cement block on a residential street, a grim sight that could have ended much differently. Officers quickly freed the dog, gave it food and water, and brought it to the department’s on-site dog shelter for immediate care. Police said the dog appeared to be in good condition and that investigators already have leads on who left it there.
Where officers found the dog
Officers were dispatched around 5:20 a.m. and discovered the dog on Willow Avenue near McNaught Street, according to KGW. The animal, described as a German shepherd, was tethered to a heavy cement block. Officers removed the tether on scene, freed the dog from the block, and then transported it to the department’s dog shelter for care.
County shelter will take over care
The Woodburn Police Department said the dog would be transferred to Marion County Dog Services in Salem for continued care and efforts to reunite it with an owner, according to Marion County Dog Services. The county’s dog services website lists operating hours and contact numbers for people looking for lost pets or needing other shelter services.
Police ask public for tips
Investigators are not treating this as a mystery they can solve alone. Woodburn Police asked anyone with information about the case to call 503-982-2345 and reference case number 26-5783, as reported by KGW. Police said they have developed investigative leads and hope that public tips will help them identify the dog’s owner.
Legal context
Leaving a dog tied to a cement block on a city street is not just disturbing, it may also be illegal. Under Oregon law, abandoning or neglecting a domestic animal can result in criminal charges. Chapter 167 of the Oregon Revised Statutes outlines offenses involving animal neglect and abandonment, as well as different degrees of neglect and the penalties that can apply when an animal is harmed, according to the Oregon Revised Statutes.
What to watch for
Woodburn police say the case remains active and that they will keep following the leads developed during their initial response. If an owner is identified or more evidence surfaces, officials will determine whether any criminal charges are warranted under state law.
