Jacksonville students, teacher help rescue abandoned dog

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — A veterinarian office in St. Johns County posted on social media Thursday about a dog rescued by two Jacksonville students and a teacher.

Durbin Creek Vet said in the post that two fifth grade boys noticed the dog in their neighborhood and asked their teacher for help.

The teacher found the dog chained to a potential abandoned house and called animal control, according to the post.

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The dog was so malnourished the animal control officials rated the dog as a four out of five in his condition, five being the worst.

The veterinarian office is asking for donations to the Animal Control and Protective Services or the Friends of Jacksonville Animals to help the dog's recovery.

Because the dog was found with no collar or tags, the vet's office is also asking for people to help name him.

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Kaleb Jackson said he and his cousin were walking from school when they spotted a dog in an overgrown yard on Franklin Street.

“We seen the dog in there and he looked really bad and you could see his ribs," Jackson said.

The pair told their teacher Jill Fritz who checked out the situation and immediately called Animal Care and Protective Services.

“A dog was on a very, very, very heavy chain, no food, no water," Fritz said. “He looked like he was in really, really bad shape.”

Action News Jax reporter Beth Rousseau reached out to ACPS.

A spokesperson sent this statement:

Animal Care & Protective Services (ACPS) responded to an animal in distress call at 3411 Franklin Street after being notified by a teacher at a nearby school. The teacher advised that her students were walking to school at told her about the animal's condition. The teacher responded to the address then notified ACPS. Below are the animal code enforcement officer's notes:
 
08/21/19 11:44hrs.
 
I responded to an in distress dog from 3411 Franklin St. When I arrived I observed from the city right of way a skinny gray/white mix male dog. The dog was on a short metal chain tether that was attached to the fence. Owner was not within visible range. Nor was the line elevated 7-10ft from the ground on operative swivels. There was shelter present. There was no food, and the water had algae with mosquito larva swimming in it. This water was not potable. The dog didn't have rabies/city license tags affixed to a collar. When the dog stood up I was able to get a better view of the dog. The dog was a four (4) on the TUFTS Scale (Animal Body Condition Scale). The dogs ribs where showing, pelvic bone was prominent, obvious waist and abdominal tuck present. 
 
The property had a beware of dog sign but there was NOT a no trespassing sign. I was able to open the gate. Based on what I observed and the exigent circumstance. I decided it was best to remove the dog for animal cruelty and tethering violation. I called supervisor Mark Gibson# 222 and informed him of what the situation was an my findings. He agreed it was in the best interest of the animal to remove it for its safety. I informed him that I tried to cut through the thick metal chain, however, I was unable to do so. I informed him that I posted the property with an orange notification notice that I had removed the animal. I posted that the dog would be at Animal Care and Protective Services. The property was vacant and I did call out several time to see if anyone was present. I got no response.
 
Dog will be taken to Animal Care and Protective Services.

Kaleb said the reason he wanted to help is simple: “I have a dog of my own and I wouldn’t want my own dog looking like that.”

The dog might not belong to the fifth grader, but he has picked out a name – Hero.

“He’s my hero for surviving that long,” explained Kaleb.

To make a donation towards the dogs recovery click here.

Cox Media Group