A 16-month-old corgi spotted pacing up and down a filthy apartment balcony for hours on end is one step closer to finding his forever home.
Video taken from a high-rise building in Melbourne’s CBD earlier this month showed Harry, formerly known as Trump, trapped in dire living conditions.
In the footage, the dog was seen racing back-and-forth on the narrow balcony, which had only a small kennel with no bedding.
The glass sides of the balcony were smeared with filth and the owner seemingly only cleaned the dog faeces once a large amount had accumulated.
On July 11, Acting Lord Mayor Roshena Campbell told Daily Mail the owner had surrendered the dog to council that morning.
Harry was then taken to The Lost Dogs’ Home in North Melbourne, where he underwent medical checks for one week.
On Friday, the home announced Harry was officially up for adoption but would continue to need behavioural rehabilitation to ‘heal’ from his ordeal.
‘After being left alone for months on a balcony in filthy, lonely conditions with minimal human contact, Harry came into care frightened, confused, and unsure how to be a dog,’ the home wrote, alongside a slideshow of images of the dog.
‘He’s looking for the special person or family who can help him continue his journey toward a happy, secure life.’
The home said Harry, who now weighs 14kg, has an enthusiasm for play and people, but he finds it hard to settle at times.
As a result, he might urine-mark indoors and outdoors when anxious as a ‘way of coping with stress’, which will take time, patience and guidance to improve.
‘It’s important to understand Harry will need ongoing behavioural rehabilitation, and his new family must be prepared for the challenges – and the rewards – of helping him heal,’ they said.
‘He deserves a home that sees his potential and is willing to work with him every step of the way.’
Aussies left a slew of comments celebrating Harry’s recovery.
‘So glad he is safe now and hopefully in a loving home soon. A shame we have such inadequate animal welfare laws,’ a user said.
‘I’m so happy Harry is free from that tiny space and lack of love. I hope he finds his forever home.’
Harry’s poor living conditions in his former home were first brought to public attention by Melbourne woman Helia Abdollahi.
She made several reports to authorities, which amounted to no action, and decided to share the distressing video online in a last-ditch effort.
Ms Abdollahi previously told Daily Mail that she spent three months recording the lonely canine living in the block of units across from her.
‘We’ve seen him out there in the rain, during freezing cold nights, and for hours on end. He paces in circles, shows signs of anxiety, and barks or cries for attention,’ she said.
‘When the owner does show up, the dog gets excited, wagging, hoping for interaction, but is completely ignored. He even seems scared to step inside the apartment, like he knows he’s not allowed.’
The footage and photos of the corgi, known as ‘Trump’, and his dire living conditions outraged hundreds of Aussies who labelled the dog’s treatment as inhumane.