SOUTHEAST - Starr, the German shepherd found abandoned earlier this month off Starr Ridge Road in town, continues to heal, Putnam County SPCA officials said. The search for the perpetrators who taped her muzzle shut, causing serous injuries, also continues.
The perpetrator or perpetrators could face felony charges of aggravated animal cruelty, SPCA Chief Ken Ross said.
The dog suffered deep sores where electrical tape was wrapped around her muzzle and on her neck where a collar may have been, and broken teeth. She still faces surgery, Ross said, but swelling on her muzzle needs to go down. The sores were so deep, Ross said, almost to the bone.
A friendly dog who loves treats
Starr, a female who is about eight to 12 months old, is receiving treatment at Brewster Veterinary Hospital.
She's doing all right, Ross said. "She's very friendly, very good with everybody."
Dr. Divya Persaud, a veterinarian at Brewster Veterinary, said Starr will need one or two surgical procedures in the next few weeks. She is expected to make a full recovery.
When she's in better shape, Persaud said the next step will be finding Starr a home.
"She's getting obedience training, socializing with other dogs and people," Persaud said. "She loves her treats."
Jennifer Hunt, Brewster Veterinary manager, said that Starr's sweet disposition, after all she had gone through, "is testament to how forgiving animals are."
Brewster Veterinary is raising money to cover the cost of Starr's care; find out more at brewstervet.com.
Found abandoned, with tape around muzzle
At around 8 a.m. Sept. 15, good Samaritans discovered a young female German shepherd in the area of 36 Starr Ridge Road. The abandoned dog’s muzzle area was found tightly wrapped with what appeared to be black electrical tape, according to the Putnam SPCA Law Enforcement Division.
They brought the dog to Brewster Veterinary Hospital and the Putnam County SPCA was notified.
The dog inherited the name Starr, after where she was found.
Search for perpetrator continues
The investigation by the Putnam County SPCA Law Enforcement Division is active and ongoing.
The SPCA is asking for information from anyone who recognizes the dog, has information regarding the former owner, or observed any suspicious activity in the area of Starr Ridge Road on the morning of Sept. 15.
The Putnam SPCA is also putting together a reward, now up to $600, for information.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the Putnam County SPCA Law Enforcement Division at 845-520-6915 or email info@spcaputnam.org.
This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: Abandoned, injured dog on mend, Putnam SPCA seeks perpetrators
