Authorities are searching for a man who abandoned his German Shepherd, named Chance, on Dohertys Road in Truganina, a Melbourne suburb, on Monday evening. The incident occurred around 8:50 p.m. when the man was observed pulling over, pushing the dog out of his 2009 BMW, and then driving away, leaving the animal alone on the roadside.
A volunteer group, Pawsafe, was alerted to the situation and successfully retrieved the dog from the high-traffic industrial area. The dog is now in the care of a volunteer with Pawsafe and is awaiting adoption into a new home.
RSPCA Victoria has confirmed it is aware of the incident and has launched an active investigation. Victoria Police have also been notified. If the dog's owner is identified and charged, he could face significant penalties, including up to 12 months in prison and fines exceeding $40,000, under Victoria's animal cruelty laws.
Mental state of the dog is not disclosed, but the volunteer caring for him described the abandonment as an "incredibly traumatic experience." She added that despite being cruelly dumped, the dog deserves safety and love. Pawsafe is seeking experienced foster carers who can integrate Chance into family life, ideally without other dogs, to help him decompress and rebuild his confidence.
The public has expressed outrage over the man's actions, with many commenters on social media condemning the abandonment and suggesting that surrendering the animal to a shelter or veterinarian would have been a more humane option.