TACOMA, Wash. - Officials said a group of Tacoma neighbors took the law into their own hands to save a dog they believed was being neglected and abused.
KCPQ reported the neighbors took the dog out of its own backyard and rushed it to the vet.
Animal Control told KCPQ someone dropped off the Lab-mix named Kiki at the Humane Society Monday but the dog was no longer at the shelter.
Investigators are now working to figure out the details.
“The dog was clearly starving and in really bad shape so we got a group of us and go over there,” Autumn Niesz-Ramos said, who admitted to taking Kiki.
A concerned neighbor took pictures of the pup and posted them on Facebook with the address of Kiki's home.
That when strangers showed up to take the dog.
“The dog could barely stand up she was so weak,” Niesz-Ramos told KCPQ. “She was shaking, she was so cold.”
Steven Lee Jr. told KCPQ Kiki belongs to his father and admitted that the dog isn't healthy.
“She wasn't in good shape,” Lee said. “There’s something wrong.”
Niesz-Ramos said veterinarians also told her Kiki was in bad shape.
“They said when I got there that the chain was embedded in its neck because it had been on so long, so tight,” she said. “I don’t think I stole her, I think I saved her.”
Kiki is no longer at the Humane Society; officials said she is likely back with her owner.
Animal Control told KCPQ the only way they could take Kiki is if they had a warrant or believed she was being abused.
Authorities are still investigating.
