MENANDS — The Mohawk Hudson Humane Society is asking the public for help identifying those responsible for abusing a puppy and leaving it in a box in the parking lot of a Troy gas station.
The 10-12-week-old puppy, now named Deniro, has a broken jaw on both sides and his ribs were broken in at least seven locations. The rib fractures were in different stages of healing, indicating the abuse happened over a period of time.
On Monday, Feb. 7, a person brought the dog to the humane society and on Friday the pup underwent a four-hour surgery to repair his jaw. He now has plates on both sides of his mouth held in place by 15 screws to hold his jaw together.
“We know someone will recognize this sweet young puppy. We know someone saw something or heard this puppy crying out in pain. Injuries this severe do not happen in silence,” said MHHS CEO Ashley Jeffrey Bouck.
The person who found the dog at the gas station near the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute campus, heard whining. The person traced it to the box and inside found Deniro with a slack jaw, a discolored tongue hanging from his mouth and blood and drool caking his chest and legs.
MHHS is working with law enforcement on the investigation, but the public’s help is urgently needed.
Anyone who lives near the RPI campus is asked to check their surveillance footage between Sunday, Feb. 6 and Monday, Feb. 7 at 1 p.m. They are also asking those who live in Griswold Heights to check their doorbell cameras and any other surveillance footage they may have.
“We know that people who abuse one pet abuse others and are very likely to also be abusing humans in the household,” said MHHS Senior Vice President for Operations and Humane Law Enforcement Officer Gail-Hughes Morey. “Cruelty like this is linked closely with other violent crimes. Stopping this person will not only be justice for Deniro, but can prevent the suffering of other pets and humans in the process.”
Anyone who has seen this dog, knows its owner, or has any information that could lead to the arrest of anyone involved this abuse is urged to reach out to MHHS at 518-434-8128, extension 203 and leave a detailed message with call back information or email [email protected].
Adoption requests are not being taken at this time, as he will be in foster care for months.
MHHS has also set up a fund for Deniro’s care. The estimate for his first surgery is $11,000. He will have ongoing expenses related to these injuries and is likely to need dental surgery as his teeth begin to grow in. Donations can be made at Deniro | Mohawk Hudson Humane Society (mohawkhumane.org).
