The puppy was found extremely dehydrated, emaciated, and with pressure sores on his legs.
EAST HAVEN, Conn. — An East Haven woman is facing charges in connection to the abuse of an emaciated puppy found wandering the streets Wednesday.
The East Haven Animal Shelter said an Animal Control Officer was called to the area of Sylvan Hills Road on the report of a stray dog around 1 a.m. Wednesday.
When they got there, the officer found an emaciated male pit-mix. The dog was brought to the emergency veterinarian who put him on IV fluids due to extreme dehydration. The shelter said the veterinarian estimated the dog to be 6-9 months old and has been crated constantly due to severe pressure sores on his body.
Officials said the dog was so emaciated, it could only tolerate small amounts of food every few hours.
Between the East Haven Animal Shelter and animal law advocates Desmond’s Army, a reward of $1,500 was offered for any information leading to the identity of the puppy’s owner.
After officials released information on the puppy, a woman called Animal Control saying she had adopted the puppy in April before giving him to 26-year-old Kaitlin Tenner. The woman said the dog had been in good shape at the time.
Animal Control said police officers visited Tenner, who claimed the dog escaped a couple of weeks ago but admitted to not letting anyone, including police, know the puppy was missing.
With the condition the puppy was found in, Animal Control said it was likely any cruelty began just after Tenner had received the dog.
Tenner was charged with animal cruelty, failure to vaccinate, failure to license, and roaming.
The shelter said that despite what the puppy has gone through he’s “as sweet as can be”.
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