Sadly, abandoning dogs in public places is a trend that seems to be growing. Even more troubling, some owners commit this act in front of security cameras, believing there will be no consequences.
That was exactly the case at Pittsburgh International Airport, where a passenger tied his small dog to a pole and walked away to catch his flight.
What he didn’t realize was that the police were not about to let him get away with it.
Heartless Abandonment
Allegheny County Police Department (ACPD) a shocking update on their official Facebook profile: a dog had been left behind in the airport parking garage.
The title of the text was short and clear, but it contained a key message for all dog owners from the police. “There is no excuse for leaving your pets behind,” their post began firmly.
“At approximately 1:15 pm today, ACPD officers at Pittsburgh International Airport were alerted to a dog that was tied to a pole and appeared to be abandoned in the short-term parking garage,” they explained. “Officers responded and were able to un-tie the dog, which fortunately appears to be in good condition.”
The dog, later identified as a Chihuahua by WTAE, had no microchip, making it difficult to immediately trace the owner. Still, police were determined to uncover who was responsible.
Police On The Case
The very next day, ACPD released another update on their Facebook profile.
“We are looking to identify and speak to this man in connection with the dog left behind at the airport today,” they wrote, adding. “At this point, we believe he was a ticketed passenger who spent time inside the airport before leaving the dog in the short-term parking garage prior to his flight.”
To assist the investigation, police also published photographs of the suspect, asking anyone with information to come forward.
Days passed with no public news, but behind the scenes, the case was moving forward. Finally, ACPD confirmed on their Facebook profile that charges had been filed.
They announced that the County Police have filed charges against a West Virginia man after a dog was found at Pittsburgh International Airport five days ago and that tips from the community had been crucial in tracking him down.
“Thank you to everyone who reached out in response to this incident. Thanks to those tips, we have identified the person pictured as 68-year-old David Mittelberger Sr. of Windsor Heights, West Virginia,” they wrote.
The abandoned Chihuahua’s name was confirmed to be Mikey. Sadly, Mikey was suffering from a painful mouth infection that required significant dental treatment.
He was placed in the care of Animal Friends, where he would stay until he was healthy and ready for adoption.
A Disturbing Pattern
This heartbreaking case was not the first of its kind at Pittsburgh International Airport. Just three months earlier, another dog had been abandoned in nearly the same spot.
That time, it was a French Bulldog. Investigators learned that her owner had been told she needed a crate for the dog to fly. Instead of buying one, she simply left her pet behind.
The same police department intervened. Even then, they had the same strong message for all dog owners, which they posted on their Facebook profile.
Once again, ACPD responded and made their stance clear: “Don’t leave your pets behind!” they wrote in the post.
Maybe Mikey’s owner read this message, but didn’t read the update about how Frenchy’s owner was also charged with violations of animal cruelty, animal neglect, and abandonment of animals by the police.
It seems Mikey’s owner either never saw that warning or chose to ignore it. Either way, his actions led to the same result: charges and public outrage.
While Frenchy eventually found a wonderful new family, Mikey is still recovering in temporary care. Rescuers believe it won’t be long before he, too, meets the loving and responsible owners he deserves.
These two cases highlight not only the cruelty of abandonment but also the commitment of law enforcement and rescue groups who refuse to let these animals be forgotten.
With every charge filed and every dog placed into a safe home, a powerful message is sent: abandoning your pet will not be ignored, and justice will follow.