A down-on-his-luck man and his beloved American Bully dog, reunited yesterday after the pup was stolen as his owner snoozed on the subway in the Bronx earlier this week, will now finally have somewhere safe to sleep — at least, for the next few nights.
Charles Williams and his 2-year-old puppy, Roc, spent the night after their emotional reunion at a pet-friendly shelter in Midtown Manhattan.
“It was pleasant. Staff was nice, welcoming,” said Williams, 45, who recently became homeless after losing both his job and apartment around the same time last month. “It’s comfortable. It’s more mind-easing,” compared to living on the street, he added.
Williams had previously struggled to find a shelter that would allow him to bring along Roc, so opted to sleep outside in the summer swelter rather than part with his pooch.
They spent the night in a private room with air conditioning, which Williams said is important so Roc doesn’t overheat.
In order to beat the heat last Saturday night Williams took Roc into the subway system. The best buddies rode the rails back and forth on the D train all night, until someone swiped Roc while Williams was catching some shuteye near the northern end of the line, at the Norwood-205th St. station.
“That’s Daddy’s Roc! That’s Daddy’s Roc!” an overjoyed Williams shouted at their reunion yesterday after someone dropped Roc off at the 44th Precinct stationhouse. Roc looked equally pleased as he covered his owner with sloppy dog kisses.
But that wasn’t the end of their good news.
Williams expressed gratitude toward the Department of Homeless Services for subsequently finding him a spot at the pet-friendly shelter, where he plans to stay for the next few days before meeting with a case worker who is helping him to secure more permanent housing and also register Roc as an emotional support animal. But the out-of-work chef noted there are a lot of other homeless pet owners who need accommodations, too.
“I think that they should, they should really lift their policies on individuals who have pets that are more like family,” Williams said. “You know, I refuse to give up my pet because it’s family. And I’m glad and thankful and grateful that DHS was able to make this happen for me.”
He said he hopes DHS gives others the same treatment.
“Make the same exceptions,” Williams said. “You know, do the same because, especially depending on the breed, you know, if it’s not a violent breed, you should be able to let the dog inside.”
While American Bullies share a common ancestry with pit bulls, they have a more laid-back temperament.
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