Did somebody leave a pet out to die in a wooded area of Milton?

An empty cage and snow-covered blanket found near Milton’s Mill Pond has led to some speculation that a pet was abandoned.

And people on social media are both irate and saddened by the possibility.

On Thursday, Nov. 30, a Milton resident posted a photo that showed what appeared to be someone’s effort to release a pet into the wild. A blanket for warmth can be seen beside what looks like a cage for a small rodent.

“Looks like an animal was dumped at mill pond. Doesn’t look like it survived long enough to use any of the stuff left with it. There’s coyotes, foxes, raccoons, weasels and hawks in the area,” the person wrote.

The post has received dozens of reactions and comments. Some were holding out hope that an animal might have survived, most were more pessimistic.

“OMG that is cruel,” wrote one user.

“Wow. That’s terrible. What kind of person does this?” asked another.

If you find you are unable to continue caring for your pet, there are alternatives to consider before surrendering it, including:

• Reaching out to family and friends for help
• Determining the cause of pet behavior issues and treating them
• If allergies are an issue, reduce pet allergens in your home i.e., limit the animal’s access to certain rooms, try an air purifier
• Contact your local animal shelter for more advice.

A last resort would be to contact a local pet shelter to take it in.