The Broadwater County Sheriff’s Office in Montana launched an investigation after a stray dog, who enjoyed wandering, was found on the side of the road with the word “Free” spray painted on his body, in a disturbing act of animal cruelty. The photo of the dog went viral on Facebook on Thanksgiving Day, sparking public outrage and prompting animal lovers to demand justice for the dog.
The investigation revealed that the dog’s owner was not responsible and had taken good care of the dog. The incident was likely the result of someone’s anger towards the dog’s roaming habits. Undersheriff Brandon Harris confirmed that the dog was rehomed to a family with lots of love and space and has been renamed “Freedom”.
Harris expressed his opinion that the message was intended for the dog’s owner and was not properly conveyed, indicating that they could have easily picked up the dog if the individual was having trouble managing it. Authorities are continuing to investigate to identify and bring the perpetrator to justice, and they could face charges of animal cruelty.