Rapper DMX Dumps 'Sweet' Dog At RI Kennel

WARWICK, RI — Rapper DMX boarded his dog in Warwick last August, hasn't paid the bill, and now the director of the joint figures it's high time to find the dog, named X, a forever home.

"He's a very cute dog," said Charles Callahan, director at the Rhode Island Animal Medical Center & Four Paws Pet Resort.

X, a pit bull, is about 18 months old. He's friendly, but he wouldn't be good with other dogs, and cats wouldn't be a good idea either, he said.

Without giving out any private information, Callahan said DMX lives in Rhode Island and dropped off the dog because he was going on tour. He was supposed to pick the dog up in middle or late October, but he never did.

Callahan said he tried to contact the rapper several times and left messages but received no reply. Finally, on Nov. 27, DMX picked up the phone.

They had a pleasant conversation, Callahan said. The rapper mentioned he has 17 children. Callahan could see X, as a bully breed dog, might not be a good fit for the family. He proposed finding a new home and said he would help.

But DMX never signed the papers to relinquish the dog. He hasn't heard from the rapper since that call in November.

"The staff took a real shine to the dog," Callahan said.

After calling the animal control officer for advice, he has concluded the dog is considered abandoned.

"This doesn't happen very often," he said.

Callahan wants to find a new home as soon as possible. The dog has no social issues so far, he said, but he's been boarded a long time. Dogs in that predicament can start tail banging and other "institutional" type behavior.

"You never know when it might start," he said, so sooner rather than later is the plan.

"He's a real sweetheart," he said, and he's healthy. He will need to be neutered, though, he said.

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