Georgia Shelter Seeks Owner After Dog Abandoned With Handwritten Note

Walker County Animal Shelter officers found a small dog locked inside a pet carrier near the intersection of Schmidt Road and West Cloud Springs Road in Rossville on the evening of Tuesday, March 17. Written on top of the carrier was a handwritten note that shelter staff called shocking, and which the Walker County Animal Shelter described as the reason they turned to the public for help.

The note's contents drew immediate attention when the shelter posted a photo of both the dog and the note to its Facebook page. The message called the dog "stupid," declared that "a bullet would be best," and accused the animal of climbing fences, digging, running from people, soiling indoors, and expressing anal glands when handled. No owner was identified, and no suspect has been named.

Despite that note, the Walker County Animal Shelter describes the dog as "sweet."

Shelly Ackerman Wilbanks, who was first on the scene, commented directly on the shelter's Facebook post. "This poor baby was so scared when we found him," she wrote. "I hope you find the person that did this to him and find him a good forever home. He is such a sweet little thing." Wilbanks described the dog as "very scared and nervous" and added: "He doesn't understand what's going on and why he was dropped off." According to her personal Facebook page, the dog was not microchipped. Authorities are currently examining video footage to see if anyone witnessed the abandonment.

Investigators are treating the case as a reportable abandonment incident while they work to identify who left the dog there. No arrests or charges have been reported.

Any behavior a previous owner might frame as a dealbreaker, including fence-climbing, digging, or bolting from strangers, reads to most people in the hyperenergetic dog community as a management and enrichment problem, not a capital offense. Dogs described exactly this way show up in training forums every day. The note's characterization of the animal made that contrast hard to miss once the post began circulating.

Anyone who recognizes the dog or has information is asked to contact Walker County Animal Control at 706-924-0053 or by email at animalcontroldispatch@walkerga.us. Tips can be submitted anonymously. Wilbanks also asked anyone with information to contact the Walker County Police Department directly.

The dog, described only as small, remains in the shelter's care. The owner has not come forward.