Dogs left behind after alleged murder and suicide taken to shelter

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) — It’s been more than three weeks since two men were found shot to death in a South Bakersfield home.

Details of the shooting and their identities have not been released, so the dogs left behind may be euthanized.

This is the story of Aqua and Toby, a bonded couple looking for a new home.

Aqua and Toby are still recovering after their owner died by suicide on October 29 on Cresson Court in South Bakersfield.

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More than 3 weeks later, the dogs are still waiting to be rescued

“We don’t have unlimited space, and when you have multiple dogs and no one is really paying attention to them, it can really work against them and it can be a sad ending,” said Daniel Litterell of Kern County Animal Services.

Aqua’s story began in 2013, when she was 4 months old and came to a shelter.

After 60 days, she was adopted into the loving arms of Keith M. Austin Sr., a veteran who died at his home on Cresson Court. His daughter identifies him to 17 News.

Aqua is now 12 years old and returned to the shelter with Austin’s other dog, a 10-year-old shepherd mix named Tim. Family members call him Toby. They have a lifelong bond.

“They are part of the family, so it’s a bit like your brother and sister who want to be together. We want to keep them together if we can,” Litterell said.

All adoption fees will be waived for this couple, but time is running out.

“The shelter is a very stressful situation, but if you give them some time, they will fit right in with your family,” Litterell said.

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These are photos of the dogs shared by Austin and his ex-wife. They divorced and she returned to Germany.

He is 80 years old and due to his health condition he can no longer fly. He says Aqua and Toby can’t die.

“These are priority dogs. These dogs need to find a home as soon as possible,” Litterell said.

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