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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Ellensburg dog is not neglected – it just likes the snow

Yakima Herald-Republic

Ellensburg police say an investigation has disproved a widespread claim that a dog was being left out in the cold for several days.

The department issued a statement Friday saying it wanted to provide accurate details about the report because “erroneous information has gone viral around the world” on social media, including Facebook.

A woman called emergency dispatchers Thursday to report she’d been at a neighboring home for four days and had not seen anyone caring for the animal, who did not appear to have any shelter outside a home on West Rainier Avenue, according to a copy of the animal control officer’s report released by the police department.

“Dog is always covered with snow and out in weather,” according to notes from the initial report.

The animal control officer went to the home and wrote that the dog could be heard barking from inside the house Thursday.

That afternoon, the dog’s owner called the officer in response to a notice left on the door of the home.

The owner said “the dog likes being outside, especially when it snows,” and added that the animal was only let out for short periods during the day when the family was home or when it needed to go to the bathroom at night.

The owner said “the dog is an inside dog and one of their family,” according to the report.

Police said the animal control officer determined the animal had not been neglected. Police encouraged residents to report potential animal abuse but noted how quickly erroneous information can spread across social media.