I don’t usually write posts like this, but after seeing a video on Instagram, I couldn’t ignore it. I recognized the area immediately and the man as well because I live nearby and have seen him around before. What I saw raised serious concerns about a dog who clearly needs help.
The video was recorded near Polo Grounds Towers in Harlem, around 2929 Frederick Douglass Blvd. After watching it, a few friends and I decided to look into the situation ourselves. Since we live in the area, we were able to locate both the man and the dog.
Through conversation with him and the people around him, we learned that the dog’s name is Tolly.
During our interaction, the situation felt off. The man appeared distressed and unstable, and his behavior raised concerns about his ability to properly care for the dog. We were also told that Tolly would only be given up in exchange for a large amount of money.
Because of this, the situation has been reported to animal welfare authorities, and the video and details have also been shared with local police. We’ve also reached out to animal rescue organizations, although at this point it’s unclear what action will be taken.
This post isn’t about attacking anyone or creating online drama. It’s about a dog who can’t speak for himself and deserves safety, care, and a better life.
If needed, I’m willing to start a GoFundMe, ideally in coordination with a rescue or proper organization, to try to get Tolly out of this situation and into a safe environment.
We’ll continue to follow up with the appropriate authorities and update this page if there are any real developments. If you care about animal welfare, please share this responsibly and support local rescues working to protect dogs like Tolly.
Sometimes doing the right thing simply means not looking away.
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