SKOWHEGAN — Police said Monday they know who abandoned an abused dog that was taken to the shelter last month in such bad condition it was euthanized the same day.

Skowhegan police Officer Josh King said an anonymous tip led to the person who owned the dog.

“We interviewed the person’s neighbors where they moved from and (found) where they are living now, and they confessed. They admitted it was their dog,” King said.

He said the owners’ identities and the charges will be released once summonses are issued.

The small black and white poodle was taken to the shelter by King on Nov. 29. The animal was found, unable to walk, at the Woodland Mobile Home Park on Dr. Mann Road and taken to the police station.

Somerset Animal Shelter manager Hattie Spaulding said the staff cheered Monday when they heard about the development in the case.

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“We didn’t think they would find anybody. We are very, very pleased,” she said.

Spaulding said a lot of people are upset and angry about the animal’s condition. She said Skowhegan police have asked her to collect veterinarian bills for possible restitution.

She said she believed that if the animal shelter had an investigator like Josh King there wouldn’t be so many cases of abandoned and abused pets.

“He was amazing on this case,” Spaulding said.

She said the dog’s eyes and one side of its face were matted shut with feces so it couldn’t eat and the dog’s toenails were long and curled under its paws.

Veterinarian Michael Wing concluded the dog suffered from chronic neglect, flea infestation and paralysis. He determined the dog was about 8 years old.

Doug Harlow — 612-2367
dharlow@centralmaine.com

 


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