As the new year began, we seem to have found a dog version of Paddington Bear. But his story was not as exotic as Paddy’s – but a sad case of ignorant, careless and greedy humans.
By now, many of you have read about Kai, the share-pei crossbreed who was found tied to a railing outside Ayr Railway station along with a suitcase containing his belongings – a pillow, a toy, a bowl and food. 
Very much reminiscent of that famous bear and his suitcase, except Paddington had a tag which said “Please look after this bear. Thank you.”
A commuter saw him and contacted the Scottish SPCA. 
They took him in and found that he was microchipped. They were able to trace him to his previous owner who sold him on Gumtree in 2013. However they did not have information on the person who bought him.
On examination, they also found that he had inverted eyelids – which is quite common amongst this breed.
When the Scottish SPCA shared his pictures and story on social media, it sparked a flurry of offers to rehome him from around the world – the UK, the US, Canada and the Philippines. 
A JustGiving page was quickly set up and generous strangers raised over 3800 pounds – which went towards the surgery he needed to correct his eyelids.
As the story of Kai made the news around the world, the woman who left Kai tied up came forward and gave her story. She claimed it was a case of a failed transaction. It was not the dog she had seen advertised and fearful that she had a case of a stolen dog on her hands, she panicked and left him tied up – after informing a staff.
Whether her story is true or made up – she probably did not know that – “Abandoning an animal is an offence under the Animal Health and Welfare (Scotland) Act 2006.” And neither did the station staff.
What she did showed a lack of knowledge and compassion – it was simply cruel.
Every day dogs are abandoned. Stories such as Kai’s tug at people’s heartstrings and get the best out of them. 
At least the story of Kai may have made people realise it is an offence – at least in the U.K.
3 Responses
Well done Miss Darcy for raising this. Xx
What a beautiful boy he is too.
It was just hearbreaking to read this but this story will have a happy ending. For all the other animals suffering and abandoned, I ask all that is great and good in the world to help them.