Jon Johnson File Photo/Gila Herald
One dog died, the other ran away from Safford Animal Control
By Jon Johnson
SAFFORD – Landlords are used to having to clean up residences when tenants move out – especially if a tenant was evicted – but the renters of a home on E. 7th Street took it to a whole new level by leaving their dogs there to die.
Safford Animal Control Officer Randy Damron was dispatched to the residence Wednesday, Sept. 5, at about 9:13 a.m. regarding a stray dog that was in the house.
Upon arrival, the owner said he had evicted his tenants, Raul and Debra Castro, but they neglected to take their dogs with them when they left.
Officer Damron located one dog in a bedroom, but the dog fled through an open window and ran away.
A second dog was located and while it still reacted aggressively was barely alive, according to Damron’s report.
Officer Damron captured the dog and put it in his Animal Control truck, but when he looked back in on it as he was leaving the dog was deceased. Officer Damron then took the dog to the Safford Regional Landfill and disposed of it.
Officer Damron advised he would attempt to locate the other dog and asked the homeowner to call him back if it returned.
