Animal advocates are offering a reward in exchange for information leading to the arrest of whoever abandoned a dog in Middletown that was so badly neglected he could barely walk.
The animal was found last Thursday in McCutcheon Park at Crystal Lake, according to Middletown Animal Control.
“It is estimated that he had not been groomed in well over one year,” animal control wrote in a Facebook post. “We believe that he had been kept in a crate or a confined space for a very long time.”
According to animal control, it took a “team of people” more than two hours to shave the animal. The dog’s fur was so thickly matted that it was difficult to penetrate with a syringe to sedate him.
“It was so bad that he was barely able to move his legs when walking,” animal control wrote.
“We unearthed a beautiful, sweet, terrified, lovable little poodle mix that has been named ‘Chucky.’ It has taken him a few days to get his bearings, learn how to walk normally and be a real dog again. He is slowly adjusting and coming out of his shell.”
The animal is still recovering and is not yet available for adoption.
Desmond’s Army Animal Law Advocates is offering a $5,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and prosecution of whoever was responsible for abandoning the dog.
Anyone with information has been asked to call Middletown Animal Control at 860-638-4030. Calls can remain anonymous.
