Donata County team member rescues abandoned dog Rocky after microchip owner declines claim

Brandon Beakley, a Donata County team member, found an injured, skittish dog near a community center in Chaparral in September and has since been caring for the animal with his family, the family said.

The dog, nicknamed Rocky, arrived at a veterinary clinic in Anthony with a wound on his lower body; the clinic stitched the wound and prescribed medication, the family said. The clinic located a microchip, contacted the listed owner and was told the owner did not want the dog; the clinic’s follow-up call was hung up on and the number was later blocked, a family member said.

"Back in September, I found Rocky hanging around one of the community centers I worked at. And me being me, I left food for him, of course," Brandon Beakley said. "Within that month, I learned that he does tricks, and he's a really trained dog."

A family member described Brandon taking Rocky to the Anthony veterinarian, saying, "Brandon found that Rocky had a wound down his lower region of his body, so he felt it upon himself to take him to the vet... The vet stitched him up and got him fixed up and put a cone on him. Brandon called us and said, oh, I can't leave him here with a cone on him. He's got meds and all this stuff. So we had to go ahead and bring him home."

The family said they did not return Rocky to the community center where he was found. "Brandon didn't wanna take him back to the center, where he found him," another family member said. "He's just a good dog with everybody... Brandon says if we can't let him go back, we need to try to find him a good home."

The family also said Rocky was muddy and brown when first found but, after grooming, is black and white and prefers to stay near people. The family said Brandon decided not to take Rocky to the pound.

No public agency action, legal filing, or formal transfer of ownership was recorded in the meeting transcript. The family said they will look for a suitable new home for Rocky.

Less-critical details: Rocky received veterinary care in Anthony, was fitted with a cone during recovery, and responds well to people, according to the family.