Dog dies in front of SPCA

NORFOLK, Va. — The Norfolk SPCA said a dog was tragically killed early Friday morning after two people abandoned it in a cage outside of its building.

Late Thursday night, surveillance cameras outside Norfolk SPCA captured the moment two people allegedly placed a dog in a cage with food and water, covered the cage with a blanket and abandoned the dog outside the building. 

“For us to see in its last moment in pure panic, I mean it [the dog] watched as the family drove away, it watched as it dropped it in the cage,” said Norfolk SPCA Director of Veterinary Services Jesika Streeter. 

Streeter describes the dog as a blond brindle female pitbull between three and four years old. They said the dog escaped its cage around 6:30 a.m. on Friday. 

“From the surveillance camera, it doesn't look like they put the kennel together all the way,” said Streeter. 

The SPCA said the dog escaped and then ran into the road. Streeter said different vehicles hit it at least three times or more. 

“We watched the surveillance film. It's absolutely horrific. That is what the animal endured in her last moments and that's what we want to prevent,” said Streeter. 

Fortunately, they said a few people moved the dog out of the road. 

Streeter said that since the start of January 2024, there have been about six cases of pets being left outside of its building. However, they said it's a better way to surrender your pet. 

 “We just ask that you wait until someone is here who can physically take the animal,” said Streeter. 

“There's enough bad things happening in the world this is one thing that could be easily avoided,” said Norfolk SPCA volunteer Kelly Kubiak. 

Anyone with information is asked to call the Norfolk Police Non-Emergency number 757-441-5610 and ask for Officer Miller.