By The Associated Press

INDIANAPOLIS — Animal control officials in central Indiana are seeking a new home for an abandoned dog whose owner says he lost his job and was about to lose his home due to COVID-19.

The dog was found tied to a tree with a note attached to the collar, according to WTHR-TV.

“I was a spoiled girl, my dad gave me my own couch to lay on and my own memory foam bed,” the note said. “My dad lost his job and soon his home from COVID.”

Johnson County Animal Control Director Michael Delp said he’s a seen an increase in the number of people surrendering pets during the pandemic, but pets should be taken to a shelter.

“My heart certainly goes out to that individual,” Delp said. “However, to release a dog out in the middle of nowhere that’s just not the way to go about it. There’s all kinds of things that could happen to this animal. Struck by a vehicle or attacked by other animals.”

The dog, named Roadie, is at the county animal shelter and will be up for adoption.

Meanwhile, Indiana officials on Sunday reported 756 new confirmed COVID-19 cases and three deaths. Overall, Indiana has had 111,505 confirmed cases and 3,281 deaths since the pandemic began.