Surveillance photos show person abandoning dog at Effingham Animal Shelter

EFFINGHAM COUNTY, Ga. (WTOC) - [UPDATE 5:56 p.m. 1/19/2025] The person in the images shared by the Effingham County Sheriff’s Office has been identified, according to officials.

You can read the full update from the ECSO below:

Thank you for all the shares. Please do not leave animals at the shelter, especially when it’s closed.

If you locate a dog on the side of the road, please keep in mind that you may have to hold the dog until there is space open at the shelter or until the shelter is open to receive the dog.

We have no problem with anyone trying to help an animal, however, if you take it upon yourself to take a dog home, make sure that you are capable of caring for the dog until it can be properly received by animal shelter staff or Humane Enforcement.

You can always call our dispatch center 24/7 at 912-754-4195 or the Effingham Animal Shelter at 912-754-2109 so that it can be reported properly. That’s all we ask.

This is not meant to embarrass anyone, just simply to share the proper way to report a stray animal after hours.

Effingham County Sheriff's Office

[ORIGINAL STORY] Someone left a dog at the Effingham Animal Shelter Sunday morning when the facility was closed, officials said.

The dog was abandoned at the shelter on January 11. The facility was not open at the time and did not reopen until Monday.

Effingham County Sheriff’s Office officials released photographs of the person and vehicle who left the dog in a social media post and are asking for the public’s help identifying them.

Anyone who recognizes the individual can call the ECSO at 912-754-4195.

The shelter did not provide details about the dog’s condition or whether it required immediate medical attention after being left outside overnight.