Police looking for man who abandoned bulldog at shelter

January 25, 2013

Surveillance video showed a male suspect abandoning the bulldog around 4:30 a.m. on Jan. 7. Courtesy for West Warwick Police Department.

WEST WARWICK — The West Warwick Police Department need the public’s help in identifying a suspect who abandoned a dog at the West Warwick Animal Shelter.

Lori Rivard, Animal Control Officer, explained that on Jan. 7 around 7 a.m. a resident was driving around town looking for their lost dog when they noticed the English Bulldog tied to a gate in front of the shelter, located at 106 Hay St.

The elderly dog is visually impaired and showed signs of neglect.

The surveillance camera outside the shelter showed a male suspect tying the dog up around 4:15 a.m. and abandoning him there.

The suspect’s vehicle is a white late model Volkswagen Jetta with a roof rack.

If apprehended, the suspect will be charged with abandonment and mistreatment of an animal.

Rivard explained that the dog remains at the shelter and is being treated.

Although he was exhausted the first couple days, she said he’s gaining his health and strength back.

She said it is not right to abandon a dog, especially during these cold winter nights.

“Number one, we don’t know the dogs name so we feel bad,” she said. “But to leave him out in the cold, a senior dog, it’s just wrong. Plus anything could have happened to him, we have wild animals that come out during the early morning hours.”

Anybody with information on the suspect is asked to call the West Warwick Police Department at 827-9006.