Pittsford, N.Y.—It was Sunday evening, close to closing time, when employees at the Petco on Monroe Avenue in Pittsford found a French Bulldog abandoned in the bathroom.
The four- to six-year-old dog had been placed inside a bag where he had vomited and gone to the bathroom. He also showed signs of severe malnutrition and neglect.
Store employees called the group, Greece Residents Assisting Stray Pets (GRASP). Intake Coordinator Karla Barkley came to pick the dog up. She named him Pierre.
“[I felt] anger that someone would leave this dog in the bathroom unattended in a bag,” she says. “That person did not use the resources that were available to them as far as trying to take him to a shelter or finding a home for him.”
Barkley says Pierre is very malnourished, has skin irritations and cannot keep his food down.
On Monday, Pierre went to the vet for treatments and for now is being fed through IV fluids.
No one knows what Pierre’s story is. Barkely says Petco did not have video surveillance to show who brought Pierre into the store. Also, the day he was abandoned, the store was extremely busy because there was an adoption event going on.
“There were so many people coming in and out,” Barkley says. “It’s hard to exactly put a face with the bag that came through the door.”
Barkley predicts that caring for Pierre became too much for his owner. She says bulldogs generally require more care than other breeds because of skin and respiratory issues.
“I just don’t think they knew what their resources were,” she says. “They were at an end and this was the only choice that they had.”
However, she says that doesn’t mean the owner’s actions were right. She says they should have done their research to find a shelter or to find another person who could provide a loving home.
Despite everything he’s been through, Pierre is still affectionate towards people. He loves being petted and will follow you around to make sure you do.
Sue Zukoski of Hilton is fostering Pierre while he is recovering.
“He is just absolutely wonderful,” Zukoski says.
GRASP has gotten several inquiries from people who want to foster or adopt Pierre. One request came from as far as Florida.
GRASP says, for now, they need help with Pierre’s hospital bills and Pierre won’t be available for adoption until he recovers.
“Once his health is better, we will start the process of finding him a forever home.”
Lollypop Farm is also investigating this incident. Barkley says Pierre’s owners could face criminal charges.
