BATTLE CREEK, Mich — The Battle Creek Police Department is looking for the owner of a Great Dane.
Sgt. Will Gensch said police retrieved the dog Wednesday morning from inside a storage unit at the U-Haul on Beckley Road.
“We went out there and there was indeed a dog barking in the storage unit,” Sgt. Gensch said during an interview with Fox 17 on Friday. “You know we had no idea how well it was taken care of. If it had been fed. We had no idea.”
Sgt. Gensch said police first went out to the U-Haul Tuesday morning after employees there called them about the barking. Police left a 24-hour notice at the unit, hoping the owner would see it and get the dog out.
However, the owner never returned, he said. So the police and animal control got the Great Dane out and took him to the Calhoun County Animal Shelter.
“I’m not sure what it looked like but I know that once the door was opened it kind of ran around the parking lot,” said Sgt. Gensch. “And then they were able to offer it some treats. Once they did, it came right to them and was very nice.”
Sgt. Gensch said he and other officers have reached out to the owner of the rental unit. But have not heard back.
Police ask if anyone has information to please call the department or the Silent Observer.
“He or she can be charged with abandonment. They’re leaving their dog,” Sgt. Gensch said about the owner. “They’re kind of showing that they’re not really willing to feed, water or take care of the dog at that time. And we need to make sure that the animal is taken care of.”
