A puppy has found a new home after his former owner abandoned him in a freezing porta-potty inside a Michigan park.
“Puppy left abandoned for days inside porta potty at Creasey Bicentennial Park. Suspect arrested for animal cruelty,” the Grand Blanc Township Police Department said via Facebook on Jan. 19.
The department thanked a “Good Samaritan” named Jacob, who found the canine and cared for the pup. The person was a Creasey Bicentennial Park employee who found the animal while servicing the bathrooms, reports FOX 2 Detroit.
Since finding a new home, the puppy has now been named Hank.
His original owner told authorities she left the dog in the porta potty because her apartment building’s landlord told her she could not have a pit bull, Police Chief William Renye explained in the video that accompanied the Jan. 19 Facebook post.
Although Hank’s former owner was arrested, he was unable to share the 25-year-old’s identity because she has not been arraigned on charges, Renye said.
PEOPLE reached out to the Grand Blanc Township Police Department on Wednesday, Jan. 22 for an update, but did not immediately receive a response.
According to the police chief, Jacob found Hank “freezing cold [with] dog feces spread throughout the porta potty and pet urine.”
He added that the pit bull puppy “had no water,” and was left with only “a small bowl of food.”
Renye asked pet owners to be “responsible,” adding “Remember, you chose the animal, the animal did not choose you.” He vowed to “be the voice” for animals who suffer from cruelty.
Renye went on to remind the community that cold weather was headed to Grand Blanc Township, and urged pet owners to take their pets inside or provide a warm outdoor shelter — noting that individuals could be charged with a felony if their pets died due to neglect.
Hank is still living with his new family, and is “well taken care of.”
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Earlier in the clip, Renye stated it had been “a few weeks” since Hank was found. Prior to the Facebook video being shared, the community found out about the pup and stepped up to help.
Renye gave a “big thanks” to all who helped, including “Grand Blanc Veterinary Hospital for providing the first year of shots to the pup, along with Petsmart and Pets Supplies Plus of Grand Blanc for the puppy food.”
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