Georgia Rescue Searching for Man Who Abandoned Injured Dog on Rural Road

MENLO, Ga. — Authorities and rescuers are searching for a man caught on video abandoning his dog on a rural Georgia road, leaving the injured animal to fend for itself in dangerous conditions.

Apollo Left Behind

The dog, named Apollo, was lured from his owner’s vehicle under the pretense of going for a walk, then left behind on Old State Road in Menlo. Cars sped by as Apollo stood alone, raising fears for his survival.

Rescuer Audray Luck of Luck’s Rescue Center found Apollo injured and frightened, with wounds suggesting he may have been hit by a car or attacked by another animal. His paw pads were also peeling from running on the hot road.

“It took me 48 hours to locate him and a couple of hours to gain his trust. He was very scared when I found him,” Luck said.

Viral Video and Public Outrage

CCTV footage, later shared by Luck, shows an older man in a t-shirt and cargo shorts exiting his vehicle with Apollo, then driving away and leaving him behind.

“For the last 48 hours since he was dumped like someone’s trash, I have been looking for him tirelessly,” Luck wrote in a social media post. “Shame on the man who abandoned him. We will find you.”

Broader Issue of Pet Abandonment

Luck stressed that pet abandonment is not only cruel but illegal, warning that Apollo’s case reflects a larger problem in rural Southern communities where animal shelters are scarce.

Dade County currently has no public animal shelter, leaving rescues like Luck’s to handle cases of neglect and abandonment.

Apollo’s Future

Now safe and recovering, Apollo is available for adoption through Luck’s Rescue. His story has sparked calls for tougher enforcement of animal abandonment laws and more resources for rural rescue organizations.

Do you believe Georgia should impose stronger penalties for pet abandonment to protect animals like Apollo? Share your views with us at SaludaStandard-Sentinel.com.