SAN ANTONIO — Hundreds of dollars have been scammed from individuals wanting to help a dog owner on the Nextdoor app.
Two women says they feel for a scam, and want others to be aware, something like this can happen to them.
"I want make people aware that these type of scams are going on, because now they're going after us in the community, that are individuals just trying to do what we can to help," said Laura Prater, Victim of Scam.
Prater says she was on the Nextdoor app, when she ran across a post from a man saying he needed help.
"He needed $350 to get his two dogs out of ACS, and he didn't have the money," said Prater.
Fearing the man's dogs would be euthanized, she says she finally decided to pitch in.
"I'd seen where he said he was $40 shy, so I said okay I'll give the last $40 to get you there and told him, Merry Christmas," said Prater.
Prater says the man messaged her that he was going to get the dogs, but then he asked her for more money.
"That's when I started to get suspicious, and I started messaging other people that were talking to him," said Prater.
Prater found that others were also sending him money, like Daniela from South Dakota. Daniela is on the Nextdoor app in San Antonio because two years ago, she lost her German shepherd, Miss Lilly, and still continues searching for her.
Daniela posted one of the dogs at risk for euthanasia, and the same man replied it was his dog.
"First he texted me $60, then he text me oh it's going to be $150 dollar more on top, then $25 dollar and $45 dollar," said Gismondi.
In total Daniela, sent the man hundreds of dollars and asked the suspect for photos of the dogs in his home, but he didn't send them and kept sending her photos of the dogs in the shelter.
"I know people are suffering financially, but it's not okay to put his dogs on risk to be killed, but collecting bailout money," said Gismondi.
Prater says she went to San Antonio Animal Care Services, and found one of the dogs had been adopted, but the other dog, Tyson was scheduled to be euthanized, Saturday morning.
"That's when I got real upset, because I found out Tyson is still at risk of being killed," said Prater.
After sharing their stories of being scammed, two rescues, San Antonio Rescue Coalition, and Rescue Pets Serving Vets San Antonio, are trying to help Tyson.
A day hold was placed on him, but he still needs help.
"We're in desperate need of somebody to step up for Foster or adopt or to save him or else he's the real victim in this because he gets killed," said Prater.
If you would like to help Tyson, he is still need of a foster. You can contact Rescue Pets Serving Vets San Antonio. They will also provide medical and supplies while you foster.