BEAUMONT, Texas — Before a 68-year-old Beaumont man with a gun had a fatal encounter with police in the street in front of his Old Town home on Monday, he leashed his dog and left a note asking that a home be found for him.
The handwritten note was found in a ziplock bag, attached to the collar of "Buddy," a Labrador Retriever, inside the home of Charles Carrol, 68, who died after being shot by Beaumont Police on Monday.
When Beaumont Police officers arrived at a welfare check call on a suicidal person just before noon on Monday in the 2300 block of Ashley St, they found Carrol in the street in front of his home armed with a handgun.
Minutes later Carrol was fatally shot by police. His gun lay a few feet from his body in the middle of the street.
Police have not said yet exactly what led to officers opening fire. Police and the Texas Rangers are investigating the shooting. A neighbor told 12News that they heard at least six shots.
When a Beaumont Animal Care officer arrived to assist police, they found Buddy, already leashed, with the note attached to his collar hiding under a table according to a Facebook post by Beaumont Animal Care on Wednesday morning.
The facebook post began with... "Being an animal control agency, we're used to seeing the worst and saddest animal cases. However, every now and then some stories really break our hearts. We want everyone to meet Buddy."
The post notes that he "lost his father on July 15th after a battle with depression."
Buddy is described by Beaumont Animal Care as a happy dog who loves to give kisses, as Carrol mentioned in the note. They say the dog, that they estimate to be 9 or 10-years-old, did not appear to have any fear of strangers as Carrol also mentioned in the note.
Here's what the note said...
"Buddy is afraid of strangers. He has never bitten anyone. He is not an apartment dog. He needs kids.
He pulls hard against the leash. Not suitable for walks. Needs fenced yard or acreage in the country.
A wonderful dog. Licks faces, hands, shoes. Please get him a home."
On the back of the note was a simple instruction, "BUDDY. Goes to Beaumont animal shelter."
Less than two hours after the Facebook post was made there were nearly 500 comments, several of which noted that they were filling out an application to adopt Buddy.
One commenter said that he had once rented a garage apartment behind Carrol's home and knew both he and Buddy. He described Carrol as "eccentric to a degree, smart and colorful in a sense" and said they spoke almost daily. He noted that Buddy, who he would see every morning, loves hot dogs and whole rotisserie chickens.
The Facebook post by Beaumont Animal Care also said "We can't imagine how incredibly difficult this letter was to write, but we know Buddy was very loved by his dad until the very end. If you're interested in adopting Buddy and can provide him with a life full of love, please complete the application linked below."
Two hours after the post was made a home was found for Buddy according to Beaumont Animal Care.
"He wasn't so skittish, we sat here, we hung out for a little bit. I wanted to take him home right then and there," said Buddy's new owner, Chase Warren.
Warren has decided to give the yellow lab a new lease on life.
"I needed my dog to have a friend. He's getting up there in age, he's nine, and Buddy's nine," said Warren.
Warren said his main goal is to give Buddy a good home.
"There's no telling what he saw, what he went through during that time. The only I can do is do right by his dad and treat him like he's my own," said Warren.
More than 80 adoption applications were received for Buddy, but Viviana Lopez with Beaumont Animal Care says there is plenty of love to go around.
"As much as buddy needed a home so do all 90 of our other strays," said Lopez.
As for Buddy, Warren says the first thing he plans to do is give him a good bath.
"Whenever you bring a dog in your home and show him something he's never felt before, that companionship you gain just from that is incredible," said Warren.
If anyone wants to give another cat or dog a fresh start and a good home, don't hesitate to reach to Beaumont Animal Care.
This is a developing story. We will update with more if and when we receive more confirmed information.