When Officer Ashley Sanchez of the Eastpointe Police Animal Control Division Michigan received a report about a stray dog wandering near a residence, she had no idea what she was about to uncover.
Upon arriving at the scene, she found an elderly, visibly underweight dog sitting quietly on the porch.
The woman who had placed the call told Sanchez she was frightened by the dog and wanted him removed. She insisted she didn’t recognize him and claimed she had never seen him before.
But something didn’t add up. Sanchez noticed the dog repeatedly moving toward the front door, as if he expected to be let inside.
The Truth Behind Duke’s Identity
As Sanchez gently lifted the dog into her truck, he kept turning his head to look back at the house, clearly confused and disoriented.
She scanned him for a microchip and uncovered a shocking truth.
The dog’s name was Duke, and the microchip revealed he was registered to the same woman who had called animal control pretending he was a stray.
Duke, fourteen years old, had spent his entire life with this family. Now, in his most vulnerable state, they had turned their backs on him.
Sanchez was heartbroken.
Detroit Pit Crew Dog Rescue, a group committed to helping stray, sick, and injured dogs in the Detroit area, learned about Duke’s situation and stepped in to cover the cost of his medical care.
He was taken to an emergency veterinary clinic, where he underwent a full examination.
Duke was found to be severely malnourished. He was diagnosed with Lyme disease, and his bloodwork revealed additional serious health concerns.
Treatment began immediately.
The rescue team made a promise to Duke. Once he recovered, they would help him find a permanent home where he would be cherished.
A Gentle Dog Begins His Recovery
Detroit Pit Crew Dog Rescue later posted a video update showing Duke’s progress.
In the footage, Officer Sanchez is seen softly petting Duke and offering him food, which he eagerly devoured.
While eating, Duke paused to lick Sanchez’s face, a tender gesture that seemed to express gratitude.
Sanchez recalled how Duke had tried repeatedly to return to his home the day he was left outside.
“She knowingly abandoned him… He kept going from his front door, then kept going to the side back gate, just trying to get in his property. He didn’t understand why he was out there,” Sanchez said in the update shared on Facebook.
After discovering the truth, Sanchez attempted to speak with the woman who had abandoned Duke, but she refused to answer the door.
Sanchez later stated that she had consulted with a prosecutor, and Duke’s former owner would face citations for multiple violations, including submitting a false police report.
Thankfully, Duke is now on the mend. With proper care and support, he is beginning to heal.
There is hope that in time, Duke will leave behind the pain of his past and find a loving family who will treat him with the kindness and respect he has always deserved.