Buyers expect surprises when they move into a new house, like a leaky pipe or a stubborn lock. A man in St. Louis, Missouri, found something far less expected in 2018: a pit bull chained up in the basement of the home he had just bought, with no food or water in sight. His quick call to Stray Rescue of St. Louis is why the dog, later named Jumping Bean, got a second chance.
A Phone Call For Help
The new owner phoned Stray Rescue of St. Louis, a local rescue organization, and told them he had just bought a house and found a dog in the basement. He said he didn’t know how long she had been down there.
Volunteers went straight to the house. Natalie Thomson, the group’s communications director, later said that when they opened the basement door and shined a flashlight down the stairs, they saw “a wagging tail,” as she told The Dodo.
“She Couldn’t Stop Jumping”
Thomson described a dog who was overjoyed to see people. She said the dog was so excited she nearly choked herself against the chain, and once rescuers freed her, she kept jumping up and down and trying to hug them.
The rescue named her Jumping Bean after her exuberance. According to WABC in New York, rescuers confirmed she was a female pit bull.
What Rescuers Found
When volunteers looked around the basement, there were no food or water bowls anywhere, the reports noted. Rescuers said she wasn’t spayed or registered, per Brazilian outlet Tribuna de Jundiaí’s account of the rescue.
It’s not clear how long Jumping Bean had been there. Rescuers were told a squatter had been staying in the vacant house before the sale, and the group noted that many homes in the neighborhood are boarded up, according to Wamiz. Who chained her in the basement is unknown, and no reports identified anyone responsible.
Recovery And A Forever Home
After the rescue, Jumping Bean was taken to Stray Rescue’s shelter. She was treated for heartworms and spayed, WABC reported. Her rescuers described her as outgoing and affectionate, a dog who craves attention and seems happy all the time.
She didn’t wait long. iHeartDogs updated its coverage in April 2018 to say Jumping Bean had been adopted. A later note from One Green Planet, citing a post from January 2019, said she was in a permanent home with plenty of toys and a big backyard.
What To Do If You Find An Animal In A Home You’ve Bought Or Entered
The new owner’s choice to call a rescue immediately is a good model. If you ever discover an abandoned or confined animal:
- Call animal control or a local rescue right away. Describe the location and the animal’s condition.
- Don’t assume the animal is friendly. Frightened or neglected dogs can behave unpredictably, even if they look calm.
- Note conditions and take photos if it’s safe, since details can help authorities investigate.
- Check for tags or a microchip through a vet or shelter, which may help identify an owner.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where did this happen? In St. Louis, Missouri, in 2018.
Who rescued the dog? Stray Rescue of St. Louis, after the home’s new owner called them.
How did Jumping Bean get her name? Rescuers named her for how excited she was, jumping up and down and trying to hug them after being freed.
Who left her in the basement? It’s unknown. Rescuers were told a squatter had been staying in the vacant house, but no one has been publicly identified.
Was Jumping Bean adopted? Yes. iHeartDogs reported in April 2018 that she had been adopted.
Was she healthy? Reports said she was treated for heartworms and spayed, and that she was doing well.
Sources: The Dodo (quoted in the supplied text), WABC/ABC7 New York, iHeartDogs, One Green Planet, Wamiz, Western Journal, and Tribuna de Jundiaí, along with video posted by Stray Rescue of St. Louis.
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