On July 12, Bentley and Tinkerbell were “owner surrendered” to the Los Angeles County Animal Control in Lancaster. They were in bad shape, perhaps years removed from their last grooming.
Leave No Paws Behind, a rescue group in Sun Valley, wanted these dogs, bad. On Sunday, staff members went there to place a CTA — commitment to adopt — and found out, to their surprise, that the dogs were ready to be released. They grabbed them and headed to East Valley Veterinary Clinic to get them checked out and cleaned up. As they did, they posted photos and this message on Facebook:
“We understand these two sweet dogs should have been given up over a year ago. However, their human could not part with them. Neighbors intervened finally and convinced their human to surrender them. So very, very sad for all involved. The good news is they are both safe and at the vets for some much needed medical and personal care. They are both so very sweet, with tails a waggin’ and lots of wet, sloppy kisses for all!”
The dogs were checked out at the vet, and surprisingly were in good health — both were just a “tad underweight,” according to Leave No Paws Behind.
Now, witness the transformations of these two dogs. Can you guess their breeds? The vet said he wouldn’t even try until after they were shaved down.
First up: Tinkerbell
And now, Bentley
During the course of the dogs’ treatment, Leave No Paws Behind also discovered more about the owner who surrendered them. At first, the group was told the owner was disabled and couldn’t properly care for the dogs. Not true. On Monday, the group talked to police and got the real story: The owner was not disabled, and he was indifferent as best toward the dogs.
“The officer told me he was very nonchalant about the whole surrender, no tears, no emotions,” Leave No Paws Behind wrote on Facebook.
Police have opened an investigation.
For the record, Tinkerbell is believed to be a Poodle/terrier mix, and Bentley is a Cocker Spaniel/Lhasa Apso mix. Both are still up for adoption or foster care. Visit the Leave No Paws Behind Facebook page for more information.
All photos via the the Leave No Paws Behind Facebook page
