KANSAS CITY, MO (KCTV) -
Man's best friend is becoming the latest casualty of a sluggish economy.
Last week, a pit bull was abandoned at a Kansas City home as more and more families facing tough financial times are being forced to leave their pets behind.
Any pet owner will say between food and veterinary bills, the cost of taking care of a domesticated animal is not cheap even in a good economy.
It was one week ago today animal control rescued the pit bull mix animal rescuers are now calling Rapunzel. She was left behind by owners caught in a tough financial crunch.
"She was in pretty good shape for the way she came in. She was really skinny. She seems to be pretty friendly around people, with dogs a little cautious, but she's doing very well behaviorally," said Tori Furgate with KC Pet Project.
Just like her fairytale namesake, Rapunzel was trapped on an upper deck of a house near East 33rd Street and Tracy Avenue. It is said she was left in the hot sun for at least two weeks with no food or water.
KC Pet Project says it is a sad trend they have seen thanks in large part to the bad economy.
"We are seeing people come in that are having a trouble feeding their pets, and we have people come in frequently wanting to relinquish their dogs because they can't afford to feed them," KC Pet Project director Teresa Johnson said.
KC Pet Project has taken in 28 percent more dogs than they did last year. Some of those pets were rescued from indigent families, who have had difficulty reclaiming their pets.
"They can't afford fees and they can't afford to care for them and provide medical treatment and vaccinations and we see a lot more of that now," Johnson said.
As for Rapunzel, she has rebounded quite nicely and is not a candidate for euthanasia. She will be sent to a foster family Tuesday.
"We think she is on a very positive course and she will be available for adoption soon," Furgate said.
Rapunzel's original owners have not been tracked down, although animal control issued citations for abandoning their dog.
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