BRIARCLIFF MANOR, N.Y. The 7-month-old malnourished puppy who was dropped off in a suitcase at the Mount Vernon Animal Shelter earlier this week is improving at the SPCA in Briarcliff Manor, but veterinarians are unsure if the dog will survive.
The emaciated pit bull/lab mix was found stuffed inside a suitcase with a note, said Ernest Lungaro, SPCA of Westchesters director of humane law enforcement. Lungaro said the puppy was weak and malnourished and was immediately rushed to the SPCA of Westchesters Simpson Clinic.
Veterinarians said that the puppy would normally weigh 40 pounds but its actual weight is 16 pounds. While it wasnt able to stand or eat when it was brought in on Wednesday, Lungaro said the puppy is gradually improving.
When it first came in, you could see its spine and ribs and it was obvious that it was being starved to the point where it couldnt sit up on its own. But it took its first steps today and it started eating, Lungaro said. It doesnt have a very good immune system because it was malnourished and thats the problem. Its not going to be able to fight any infection. But were optimistic that it will improve.
Lungaro said there is an ongoing investigation into identifying the person who dropped off the puppy at the shelter. He said shelter officials also found a note with the name Emily attached to the suitcase explaining the situation.
The person stated that they found the dog in their backyard and they tried to feed it and it wouldnt leave so they brought it to the shelter, Lungaro said, adding that the note does not explain why the dog was dropped off in a suitcase. When the dog was found, the suitcase was open so its possible it was transported in the open suitcase.
Abandoning an animal is a misdemeanor, Lungaro said. The SPCA handles dozens of cases every year where someone drops off an animal and its rare that charges are filed.
Well have to continue with the investigation to see if there will be charges but right now were focused on getting the animal healthy and trying to find who it was that dropped him off, Lungaro said. Unfortunately this kind of thing where someone drops off an animal that is unhealthy is fairly common.
Anyone with information is asked to call Lungaro at the SPCA of Westchesters confidential animal cruelty hotline at (914) 941-7797.
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