A photo posted to Facebook of a dog with its muzzle taped
shut has gained worldwide attention and created a social media frenzy.
The photo with the caption "This is what happens when
you don't shut up!!!" was posted to a Facebook page belonging to a woman
named Katie Brown, who according to her page lives in South Daytona.
Brown's post was shared more than 260,000 times since it
was posted Friday morning.
The South Daytona Police Department received hundreds of
calls from around the state, country and world including people from Canada,
Germany and Australia, which spurred them to investigate the case.
Police learned the woman was out of state with the dog when
the photo was posted.
"Police will be contacting this person once she
returns to our city," police posted on the City's Facebook page.
"Rest assured that a full investigation will be done and appropriate
action will be taken. Again, thank you for the outpouring of concern and
sharing of information."
Police later confirmed Brown has not lived in South Daytona
for more than a year.
Police are now asking people to stop calling, sending
emails and Facebook messages because their system was overwhelmed.
"Our email server has gone down, our station computers
have gone down and out phone lines are having issues due to all the attention,"
said South Daytona Lt. Daniel Dietrich on Saturday.
After hearing the woman wasn't found, activists on social
media then took it upon themselves to continue investigating.
Soon tips started rolling in to South Daytona police that
the woman could be in Connecticut. Dietrich said the woman's family confirmed
she had moved to Avon, Conn. about a year ago.
Calls then started flooding into agencies there including
the Connecticut Emergency Animal Response Service (EARS) with tips about the
woman's possible whereabouts.
"It has amazed us at how quickly this story is
spreading and how many people are aware of it," said Jon Nowinski,
Director of Operations at EARS. "It's great to know there are so many who
care about the welfare of animals in situations like these. It's important people
know their voices are heard and make a difference."
Nowinski said they received 70 calls within a few hours
Saturday afternoon with tips. He said they're working with law enforcement to
locate Brown.
"Her residence is listed as Florida, but apparently
she has family here and that's why it is believed she may have been in our
state," he said. "She apparently has family in Avon and Torrington
and recently posted things from that area."
Brown posted again to her Facebook page shortly after
people began to comment on the photo: "I can't lie. I did it for sixty
seconds. It was time out and no more barking."
Then after the post garnered more attention she posted
again.
"Don't panic everyone it was only for a minute but
[the dog] hasn't barked since... POINT MADE!!!" the post read.
Dietrich said officers checked the woman's previous address
in South Daytona and spoke to her son.
"He said the dogs are in good health and cared
for," Dietrich said.
Brown could not be reached for comment.
