Framingham Police Return Dog, Neighbors Say Has Been Neglected, to Owner

A group of animal lovers asked Framingham Selectmen for their help in protecting a dog, whom they said has been neglected for years by its owner on Tuesday night. They told Selectmen since the dog was removed from its Howe Street home on January 5, it has not been seen.

Framingham Police Chief Ken Ferguson told Framingham Patch yesterday afternoon, Jan. 14, the ”dog has been returned to the owner.”

Ferguson said the dog is not visible because the “owner is keeping the dog inside for the the moment, for fear that someone will take the dog.”

The Framingham Police Chief said his department is “still investigating the matter,” and that a meeting would be held today, Jan. 15.

Ferguson said he “supported” his animal control officer. He said based on knowing both sides of the issue, and discussing the details with the animal control officer, he supports her decision.

During the public comment period of Tuesday’s Selectmen meeting, a handful of animal lovers, some carrying signs and posters with Misty’s photo, said the dog has been chained outside for years and neglected.

Framingham resident Regina Bekebrede thanked Framingham Police for removing Misty from the yard on Howe Street on January 5, but wanted to know where the dog is now.

”In her condition she would not have lived another day” in those freezing cold temperatures, Bekebrede told Selectmen. But now we want to know where she is and that she is alright, she told Selectmen.

The group told Selectmen Framingham Animal Control is not taking the matter seriously.

During the meeting, Selectmen Chair Charlie Sisitsky asked Framingham Town Manager to meet with Framingham Police and animal control, and to give a report to the Board.

The owner of the dog was not identified at Tuesday night’s meeting.

A Freedom for Misty page was created on Facebook, and had more than 500 followers as of midnight.

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One Framingham resident, who identified herself as Courtney, told Selectmen she has seen Misty neglected year after year. She has seen the dog chained in icy, cold freezing temperatures and in the scorching heat. She said hour after hour and year after year the dog sits outside with a filthy, cracked plastic dog house. In the winter, the water in her bowl is frozen. In the summer, there is no water in her bowl. She said one time, she saw there was a gallon jug of water near the dog, but all the dog could do was look at the water.

The woman said she would bring the dog water, food, and blankets, She would groom the dog, who at times was covered in bugs. She said she too reached out to animal control numerous times and was left felling “frustrated and hopeless.”

Daniel Bekebrede, Regina’s husband, read a statement from a neighbor of the owner of the dog. The statement was from Theresa Goodrow, who lives at 115 Howe Street.

In the statement he read, Goodrow said the dog was left out all day and night in temperatures up to 90 degrees and “chained to a tree.” She too, would bring the dog water and food, and gave the dog baths. Goodrow also called animal control and was unhappy with their response to the situation.

“I look at this as neglect,” said Jason Smith, who asked if one of the citizens at the meeting, would be available to take the dog until a safe home could be found. ”I’d rather see the dog with one of you rather than keep her at animal control.”

Bekebrede told the 5-member board she knew of a dog rescue organization willing to take the dog. She also said both the MSPCA and Boston Animal Rescue League are involved and have filed a formal complaint.

Framingham Patch ran a report on the dog on Wednesday morning.

Readers discussed the matter on Framingham Patch’s Facebook page, Click here to read comments.