In Wilson, North Carolina, a veterinary technician has been charged and fired from her job after rescuing a neglected and abandoned dog from a freezing snow storm over the weekend. Dason Garner rescued the dog after seeing a doorbell camera video of a woman abandoning the dog.
The person abandoning the dog, later identified as Ashley Baker, walked up to a neighbor’s front porch, left the dog named Amira and ran away.
Garner contacted animal control on Saturday, who told her to drop the Golden Doodle off at the shelter, but Garner thought the dog was too matted and in poor health to be left at the shelter and refused.
One day later, Garner was able to contact the dog’s original owner and found out the dog named Amira had been missing for months. She was able to confirm the dog’s ownership through its microchip. The two have been reunited.
The Wilson County Sheriff’s Office later identified Ashley Baker as the person who abandoned the dog in the video and charged her.
Garner was also charged for allegedly refusing to surrender the dog.
Since then Garner has been criminally charged and fired from her job for failing to hand the dog over to animal control.
I was only trying to help a dog who was suffering, cold, and in need. I acted out of compassion, instinct, and love for an animal that could not help itself.
A GoFundMe account has been raising money for an attorney and ongoing expenses because the financial strain is hitting her hard as she has a two-year-old son and has just returned to work. She said she wouldn’t hesitate to do it over again to rescue an animal in need. The original dog owner has since expressed gratitude for Garner’s help.
Garner is due in court later in February, and her family started the GoFundMe to help cover legal expenses, with a $6,000 goal. Donations have far exceeded her goal, and we all hope for the best for Garner.
I never imagined that helping rescue a dog would turn my life upside down—but here I am. What started as an act of compassion has resulted in criminal charges, and I’m now facing significant legal expenses. I’ve always believed in standing up for those who can’t speak for themselves, and when I saw a dog in distress, I felt compelled to help. Unfortunately, my actions have led to unexpected legal trouble, and now I’m fighting to clear my name and keep my family safe.
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Epic kitty issues!
