The Guelph Humane Society (GHS) is caring for a Chihuahua found abandoned over the weekend.
At around 10 a.m. on Sunday, an officer at the Guelph Lake Conservation Area contacted the humane society after discovering the dog in a public washroom's holding tank.
The humane society retrieved the animal, named Cleo, and took it to a veterinary clinic for care. When discovered, Cleo was dangerously thin and exposed to human waste. It is not known how long she had been there.
"It is very disturbing that a dog could be abandoned in such alarming and dire circumstances," said GHS Executive Director Lisa Veit. "All of us here at GHS, and we expect the entire community, are extremely distressed as to what may have happened to her had she not been discovered and rescued."
Veit added that this kind of thing has been happening too much.
"If you are unable to care for an animal, we ask that you please contact GHS to arrange a surrender or other assistance," said Veit. "GHS offers several programs to assist pet owners in distress. Leaving animals on their own without care is inhumane."
The Provincial Animal Welfare Service (PAWS) has taken over the investigation.