Who Is Frank Shamrock? New Details About The UFC Fighter Who Left A Dog Tied To A Truck For 4 Days
It was his mom's dog.
Instagram A former UFC fighter is being charged with animal cruelty after he reportedly left a dog in a Dallas airport parking garage for four days.
Frank Shamrock, 46, said he had tried to find someone to care for the dog — which belonged to his mother, who named her Zelda — on social media but couldn't. So he tied the 7-year-old Labrador mix to the bed of a pickup truck instead and left the state of Texas.
On March 6, a witness called police after realizing that the dog they first noticed in the garage on March 4 was still there two days later. Dallas Animal Services were called to investigate, and they issued Shamrock a city code violation. They also learned that Zelda was brought to the garage on March 2.
He's admitted to abandoning the pup, who he called an "old dog with a goofy hip." Zelda was taken into protective custody while investigators conduct an animal cruelty investigation.
So who is Frank Shamrock? Here's what we know about the former UFC fighter and the animal cruelty charges he faces.
1. He was charged with abandoning an animal.
The Dallas Police Department told PEOPLE that they'll be filing a charge against Shamrock of cruelty to non-livestock animals for “abandoning an animal without making reasonable arrangements for assumption of custody by another person."
After Shamrock agreed to relinquish ownership of Zelda, she was transferred to the SPCA of Texas' Russell E. Daley Animal Recuse Center, where she currently remains.
2. He did post about needing shelter for the dog
Shamrock did make a plea on Facebook for someone to take the dog — but it was only an hour before his flight.
Please help! Anyone [in] Dallas, Texas that can help with this dog,” he wrote, including two photos of Zelda.
"Can anyone take a dog today in Dallas Texas? My mom has to give her dogs away as she can’t care for them anymore. We will be at Dallas Love Field Airport by 4pm and flights at 5pm.”
“Dog lovers please help Zelda is a great guard dog and she has protected my mom for years. I have called every shelter and no kill pet center within 200 miles. Now I have to fly home and need some help.”
3. It's not clear where he flew to.
While police nor Shamrock have revealed where he flew to when he abandoned the dog, he did post about a trip to Aspen on March 9.
"First trip to Aspen and it snowed like crazy most of the time. Today was flawless perfect sun and the slopes looked amazing,” he posted on his Instagram — which is now private — alongside several photos.
4. He has admitted to the crime.
While he admitted to WFAA-TV that he did leave Zelda tied up, he referred to himself as an "animal lover."
“They can charge me with whatever. I will show up. It is what it is. I’m not hiding in any way. It’s an unfortunate and terrible thing. I’m an animal lover and I ran away crying. … It’s an old dog — no one wants a 6 1/2, 7-year-old dog with a goofy hip.”
On his Instagram, he spoke out saying that he was "not being investigated and only took the call to help bring awareness to animal cruelty and elder abuse.”
5. It was freezing when he left Zelda.
Even though he left Zelda water, animal rights activists and a representative for the SPCA both said said that she was still in danger.
"Not to mention that weekend it was extremely cold so the dog could freeze, low temperatures, a number of things could have happened to the dog,” activist Meg Sherman said.
"It was shocking to me to hear about Zelda’s alleged abandonment, as she apparently sat in the cold for days and I don’t know whether or not she had food or water,” said SPCA’s Vice President Maura Davies. “It is important for people to know that in Texas, abandoning an animal is against the law.”
Despite what she's been through, Zelda is in good spirits.
“She appears to be in good health and will be evaluated for adoption,” Davies said. “Zelda is friendly and affectionate with animal care staff and volunteers, and in good spirits, despite the recent events she’s been through."
Anyone interested in adopting Zelda, can visit here.
Emily Blackwood is a writer and editor living in California. She covers all things news, pop culture, and true crime.