NEW BERN, N.C. (WITN) – On Monday, New Bern Animal Control received a phone call from a person stating that they found a puppy in a cage near the Books-A-Million parking lot in New Bern. When New Bern Animal Control Officer Kevin Bahr arrived at the scene, he said it left him speechless.

“To leave an animal like that on the side of the road, especially in the summer in the heat like that…there was no water in the cage just a bag of food. It’s not the right thing to do,” says New Bern Animal Control Officer Kevin Bahr.

A note was left on the cage that says “Please take me…I’m a 12-week hound. I don’t bite. Take great care of him. He has food with him.”

Bahr says that abandoning an animal is considered a class two misdemeanor with fines up to $1,000 and depending on the severity of the animal’s condition, animal cruelty charges can be made and even jail time.

Even New Bern dog owners were in disbelief when hearing the news.

“I can’t imagine why anyone would just abandon a puppy…especially in a cage. We have services you know, to take unwanted animals. It’s just reckless…I hope they find who did this,” says New Bern resident Matthew Nelson.

The puppy is now at the Craven-Pamlico Animal Services Center waiting to be adopted and find a new home.

Bahr says that people should plan ahead if they decide to keep a pet.

“If you can’t take care of an animal, don’t take an animal in. Just because the puppy or kitten looks cute, they’re going to grow up. That’s 10 to 15 years of responsibility that you have there. If you don’t have the time, don’t do it,” says Bahr.

If you have a pet that you can’t care for and looking for options then contact either New Bern police or Craven-Pamlico Animal Services Center