Emaciated dog found on Appalachian Trail later dies; Owner accused of animal cruelty

TO The Glade Spring man has been charged with animal cruelty after an emaciated dog named Jack was found on the Appalachian Trail and later died, according to the Washington County, Virginia, Sheriff’s Office, WCYB reported.

The discovery of the dog in the AT

On Saturday, an AT hiker discovered a very emaciated dog wandering along the trail in Washington County, Virginia. According to the sheriff’s office, the hiker located contact information for the dog’s owner, identified in news reports as Austin Barlow.

Deputies say when contacted by phone, the owner told the hiker he couldn’t pick up the dog and the hiker could keep it.

The hiker then organized a meeting of local animal rescuers in Damascus and they took Jack to a veterinarian. The sheriff’s office says Jack became scared and ran back into the woods as the hiker approached the meeting point. Local volunteers and hikers spent hours searching Saturday night but were unable to locate the animal.

Jack returns to Barlow

On Sunday, a second AT hiker spotted Jack further down the trail, and this time the owner came to pick him up, according to deputies.

During a welfare check on the dog, officers learned that Jack had passed away. The sheriff’s office says a subsequent investigation determined the dog had been missing since June 8.

Barlow is accused of failing to provide the dog with proper medical care, according to the Washington County Sheriff’s Office.

A note for hikers

If you find lost, injured, or emaciated pets on the Virginia section of the trail, contact your local animal control or the Washington County Sheriff’s Office immediately rather than attempting to return the animal to an unverified owner.

This report is based on information from the Washington County, Virginia Sheriff’s Office, as reported by WCYB.

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