After reading countless accounts of dogs being left in terrible conditions, it seemed like nothing could surprise me anymore.
But I was wrong. Some situations are so cruel, they defy belief—like leaving a dog in a place where survival is nearly impossible without intervention.
This story is one of those. A dog in California was abandoned on the roof of a building, left inside a shopping cart.
The roof had no barriers, and the danger to the dog’s life was real. Thankfully, a security guard spotted her and acted fast.
A Swift Rescue Effort
When security guard Joey Tuccio noticed the dog stranded on the rooftop, he immediately contacted a nonprofit group called Starts with One Today.
They responded quickly and arrived to assist with the rescue.
Tuccio told People: “Paris was found abandoned in a shopping cart on top of a roof of a building on Skid Row a week ago. We teamed up with Wild Horizon Rescue to pay for vetting, and a friend of mine is fostering Paris now.”
The most heartbreaking part of Paris’ ordeal was that she had likely spent hours on that exposed rooftop without food or water. She must have felt completely hopeless.
Before heading to her foster home, Tuccio took her to a veterinary clinic in California for a full checkup.
Thankfully, she was in good health. The only issue was conjunctivitis, and no microchip was found.
Settling Into Safety And Care
Tuccio added, “We don’t know how she ended up on a roof. Sadly, many unhoused people on Skid Row are struggling with drug addiction, so sometimes they will leave their dogs for weeks. We often find dogs abandoned, like Paris, and find homes for them.”
Once in her foster home, Paris quickly realized she was surrounded by people who genuinely cared. It didn’t take long for her to feel safe and begin to relax.
Tuccio is hopeful that a permanent home will be found for Paris, though it may take time. He’s grateful that a foster placement was secured.
He shared, “An ideal adopter is one who doesn’t work 8 hours a day away from home, lives in Los Angeles, and is ready to spoil her rotten. She can be in a home with dogs or without dogs.”
Tuccio hopes Paris’ story will inspire others to adopt dogs in need. Every adoption can change a life, and sometimes, even save one.
The issue of abandoned dogs in California remains serious, and more help is urgently needed.