A puppy’s life has changed for the better after being picked up by animal control.

Animal Control Officer Roxanne Norton has an interesting job picking up lost animals in Brookhaven. The animals she picks up often garner attention, but one dog in particular has gotten people’s attention from all over the world.

“I didn’t think it would go crazy viral like this,” Norton said.

A friend of Norton’s called her Monday morning to let her know a dog had been dumped on the side of the road on Gatson Trail. Norton responded to the call and went to check it out. What she found didn’t surprise her, but it definitely disappointed her.

On her arrival, Norton found a male puppy sitting in a recliner, surrounded by garbage. The puppy looked to be about 4 months old, and he was incredibly malnourished. He looked like he had sat in the same spot since he was abandoned, she said.

“I tried to coax him off the chair, but he wouldn’t budge,” Norton said.

Norton put dry dog food on the chair in hopes of getting the dog to eat something. She was eventually able to get him off the chair.

“He knew he was safe,” Norton said.

She has taken the dog, who she’s named Lazy Boy Gatson, to the city pound. After giving him food and water, Norton began taking care of him.

He’s been bathed, and she’s currently getting vaccines for the dog, along with other care.

He will be up for adoption through the Brookhaven Animal Rescue League sometime within the next few days, once he’s had enough TLC.

His name came from where Norton found him. She found him in a La-Z-Boy recliner on Gatson Trail, off of New Sight Drive.

He appears to be some sort of Doberman or hound dog breed according to Norton, but she isn’t sure.

Norton says that if owners don’t feel like they can take care of their pets, they should be responsible.

“The dumping’s got to stop. The breeding has to stop,” Norton said. “Animals don’t go around being cruel, it’s just humans.”

Her post on Facebook has made its way around, as she’s gotten messages from all over Mississippi, the United States and even from around the world. Even people in the United Kingdom and China have seen Lazy Boy Gatson.

“It’s everywhere,” Norton said.

For anyone interested in adopting Lazy Boy Gatson or donating in his honor, call BARL at 601-757-4367.

Story by Gracie Byrne