Canton Police Seek Public’s Assistance Identifying Individual Who Allegedly Abandoned Dog

Canton Police and Canton Animal Control are seeking the public’s help in identifying an individual who allegedly abandoned this dog in a Trayer Road neighborhood on Tuesday. (Photo Courtesy Canton Animal Control Department)

CANTON — Canton Police Chief Michael Daniels and the Canton Animal Control Department announce they are seeking the public’s help in identifying an individual who allegedly abandoned a small dog in a residential neighborhood on Tuesday.

At about 9:14 a.m. on Nov. 3, Canton Animal Control Officer (ACO) Stacy Benton responded to a residence on Trayer Road after receiving a report that someone had abandoned a dog on a resident’s front lawn before fleeing the area.

Witnesses reported that a silver Toyota RAV4, believed to be a model year between 2019 and 2025, stopped in front of the residence. The driver, described as a middle-aged woman who appeared to be white or Hispanic, allegedly threw a dog toy onto the lawn, pushed the dog out of the vehicle, and quickly drove away.

ACO Benton recovered the dog, believed to be a Cairn Terrier or Cairn Terrier mix, along with a blue-and-orange Nerf dog ball reportedly left at the scene. Although the dog appeared dirty, it showed no obvious signs of injury or distress.

The dog was transported to the Canton Animal Control shelter, where staff began efforts to identify its owner immediately.

A microchip was located; however, the chip had never been registered. Animal Control is working with a North Shore veterinary clinic to trace the dog’s ownership through historical veterinary records.

The clinic is continuing its efforts to identify the owner, and investigators are pursuing additional leads.

The Canton Police Department is asking residents in the Trayer Road neighborhood to review any home surveillance or doorbell camera footage from the morning of Nov. 3. Investigators are particularly interested in footage showing a silver Toyota RAV4 or any activity that may be connected to the incident.

Anyone who witnessed the incident, recognizes the dog, or has information regarding the vehicle or individual involved is encouraged to contact the Canton Animal Control Department at 781-575-6507 or the Canton Police Department at 781-821-5090.

The investigation remains ongoing.

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