At Lucky’s Crew Animal Rescue in Bakersfield, one staff member was left heartbroken after witnessing an owner abandon two Belgian Malinois by tossing them from a pickup truck right outside the shelter.
The pair looked bewildered and scared, their eyes fixed on the vehicle as it pulled away. In spite of being left behind, they chased after the truck with wagging tails, clinging to the hope that the person they trusted might come back.
A worker recorded the scene, her voice steady and soothing as she spoke to the dogs. That gentle reassurance became the anchor the distressed pups so desperately needed in that moment.
Immediate Shelter Intervention
The sight of the two Malinois left the staff member deeply troubled. Both dogs showed signs of exhaustion, malnourishment, and neglect.
The male dog was blind in one eye, while the female’s fur was filthy and unkempt. Shelter staff suspected the pair had been used in a backyard breeding situation, a realization that added to their distress.
Determined to help them quickly, the staff member shared the video on her TikTok account. The footage of the abandonment spread widely, eliciting public outrage and a surge of support for the dogs.
Although initially fearful and confused, the Malinois gradually responded to the attention and care from shelter staff. They began showing appreciation, licking hands and wagging tails, as if finally understanding they were safe.
Their eyes started to shine with a sense of hope for the first time in a long while.
A Path Toward Safety And Love
Lucky’s Crew Animal Rescue filed a report with authorities, prompting an investigation into the abandonment. In the meantime, the two Malinois were transferred to Kern County Animal Services for their mandatory stray hold period.
Even though the shelter was overcrowded, staff prepared to welcome the dogs back as soon as the hold period ended. Supporters and employees hoped the Malinois would soon leave the shelter behind and begin a new life in a loving home.
In a hopeful update, Lucky’s Crew Animal Rescue announced that the Malinois had been officially taken in by the Malinois and Dutch Shepherd Rescue (MAD Rescue) in Michigan.
The future now holds the promise of a family who will provide the love, care, and stability the dogs had long been denied.
Their story underscores the importance of adoption and reminds potential pet owners that shelters are filled with animals ready to offer loyalty and companionship.
