In Colorado, a Cherry Creek School District assistant superintendent has been outed for dog abandonment.
After leaving her eight-year-old Yorkshire Terrier in an actual dumpster, Nickie Bell is out of a job. Let that be a lesson.
Originally, Bell was placed on paid administrative leave, but the community rallied with a petition to fire her. Luckily, Teddy the dog went to a new home that will love and care for him for the rest of his days.
Dog Abandoned While ‘Clinging To Life’
(Stock Picture Credit: evdokiageorgieva/Getty Images)Teddy, previously named Brutus, was found in a dumpster by mere chance. A local construction worker, Scott Miller, happened to be tossing something away when he came across the pup.
He was hurt, very ill, and “clinging to life,” says a report from FOX31. Had he not been found, it is likely he would have been crushed when the dumpster was emptied.
Back in July when this all went down, officers questioned Bell and her husband. The couple claimed the dog had passed away, and they “put him to rest.”
Miller’s statement, however, countered theirs. He said, “…there was no way that there was a misunderstanding that the dog was alive or dead. He was clearly well off. Sweet, sweet dog.”
It’s also important to note that the coupled abandoned Teddy 32 miles away from home. That means they drove him completely out of town, just to “put him to rest” in a dumpster.
Later, the questioning officer included in her report that Bell’s statements were “without emotion.” They didn’t appear to be parents who lost a beloved family pet or even ones who just discovered that their pet was alive.
You can find transcripts of the questions police asked the couple here.
Teddy’s Community Reacts
Dog abandonment is illegal in the state of Colorado. But even without the crime status, it’s just a truly awful thing to do, particularly by someone who stands in a position of caretaking and leadership for a school district.
Such an act doesn’t inspire much confidence for either, does it? The community surrounding Bell’s former school district feels the same way.
Originally, Bell was put on paid administrative leave, while an investigation was handled internally. The community responded with a petition of 1,600 signatures requesting that she be fired.
Sandra Howard, who initiated the petition, told FOX31, “I for one don’t want someone who would treat a defenseless animal that way in charge of decision making for our children.”
Last week, the Bells finally plead guilty to animal neglect, for which they received a series of fines, most of which don’t even cover the dog’s vet bills, says Teddy’s new human.
But, at the very least, it has been reported that Nickie Bell will not be returning to her school district position once her paid leave concludes.
Do you think that the Bells should have faced a harsher punishment for abandoning Teddy? What would you do if you found out one of your local school officials cruelly left a dog in a dumpster? Let us know in the comments below.
