Overview
- San José Animal Care and Services confirmed viral claims about dogs named Lumi and Pongo were false and said both had already been adopted.
- The posts originated from the Facebook page “Saving Shelter Dogs From Euthanasia,” which used real names or ID numbers to lend credibility to fabricated stories.
- Staff identified telltale AI manipulation, including photos showing human-like tears, indicating the images had been altered.
- The hoax triggered a flood of calls from across the country, diverting staff and disrupting shelter operations.
- The shelter reported the page to the platform, warned of possible fraudulent solicitations, and urged the public to verify information via official channels or in person.