Authorities: Woman dumped blind dog on side of road in Benson

TUCSON, Ariz. (13 News) - A Phoenix woman has been arrested for allegedly dumping her elderly, vision-impaired dog on the side of the road in Benson on Aug. 26.

According to the Cochise County Sheriff’s Office, the dog was found walking down the exit ramp near Interstate 10 and Skyline Road in Benson.

CCSO Sheriff Mark Dannels and his wife Nickie found the dog walking by itself.

Cochise County Animal Control took custody of the dog and determined it was chipped with the last registered owner out of Maricopa County. Numerous calls and messages were left for the owner, but there was no response.

On Wednesday, Sept. 6, Sheriff Dannels and Community Outreach Supervisor Sergeant Ray McNeely attended a community event in Phoenix. Upon completion, they followed up on the investigation to locate the dog’s owner.

The CCSO said Karen Black, 62, was located at her home in central Phoenix.

The CCSO said Black’s initial story was misleading, claiming she never was in Cochise County. However, she finally admitted to leaving the dog on the side of the road.

Black is facing an animal cruelty charge and is due back in a Cochise County court later this month. The dog will be held at a shelter until the case is adjudicated.

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