Vietnam veteran James Pack suffered a heart attack and was rushed to the hospital in critical condition. His two canines, Bailey and Blaze, were cared for by the First State Animal Center and SPCA while he was receiving treatment. The shelter, located within a PetSmart store in Newark, Delaware, planned to house the canines until James’s recovery was complete.
James spent a lengthy time in the hospital, and upon his release, he returned to the animal shelter to retrieve his dogs. However, the shelter had already adopted out the canines in accordance with its policy. James was unable to pay the $250 adoption fee to reclaim Bailey and Blaze, despite the fact that they were still available for adoption.