DETROIT – The largest city park in Detroit is home to a heartbreaking problem.
Dogs have been abandoned and dumped in Rouge Park -- dead and alive.
In May, Local 4 followed up on a tip about a dead dog found dumped at the park and learned that dog dumping is a common problem for Rouge Park.
Background: Dogs are being dumped at this Detroit park. What is the city doing?
Two months later, Local 4 returned to the park to see if anything had changed.
Greg Donigian works nights near Rouge Park. Before and after his shift, he looks for dogs and puts out food and water for those abandoned in the park. The lucky ones trust Donigian and get taken to his home. He pays for their vet car and finds good homes for them.
He’s been doing this since 2018 and as of now, he has pulled 45 dogs from the park.
“I was brought up that if you don’t have to go out of your way to help somebody or something, you just do it,” Donigian said.
When Local 4 visited the park in May, we found a dead dog that had been dumped with a bag over her head. When we asked questions, several people, including city employees, said dogs were being dumped at Rouge Park all the time -- dead and alive.
After our story aired, Donigian said even more dogs were dumped in the park for a few weeks, but then the numbers tapered off.
“So far, I think it’s gotten a little better. I mean, at least we’re not seeing them, “Donigian said. “But I don’t know. Maybe word got out and then it’s just, they don’t -- I’m assuming they’re still disposing of their dogs, but not here at least.”
While the problem of dog dumping in Rouge Park may have tapered off after our story aired, it hasn’t stopped completely. In June, a resident found four puppies huddled together and abandoned. Earlier this week, Donigian spotted two more dogs. He was able to get one of them into his car and safely to his home.
Both the City of Detroit and Detroit Police Department told Local 4 they have increased patrols of Rouge Park -- especially during busy times. The city said it relies on the public to be its eyes and ears and if anyone sees anything out of the ordinary, they are encouraged to report it at 313-922-3647.
The city released the following statement:
“We have park ambassadors assigned to Rouge Park who are on the lookout for anything out of the ordinary, especially during our busiest days, weekends, and holidays. Park security also regularly patrols Rouge Park. The City of Detroit has not been made aware of or received any additional reports regarding animals found dead or dumped in our parks.
Rouge Park is bigger than Belle Isle and Central Park in New York City. We rely on the public to help be our eyes and ears and encourage anyone who sees something out of the ordinary involving animals in any of our city parks to report it to us by calling 313-922-3647.”
What to do if you find a dead or stray dog in Detroit
Improve Detroit is a free app where residents can quickly and easily report dead dogs or stray dogs to the city. The app is handy for reporting other issues too, like potholes and running water.
More information about the app can be found at detroitmi.gov/ImproveDetroit. Residents who don’t want to use the app should call 313-876-0004.