New homeowners are shocked to find a starving PITBULL puppy cowering in locked closet – as cops hunt ‘homeless owners’ who were squatting in house
- New owners found the pitbull-mix puppy in a locked closet inside the house
- Police are hunting its owners who could face animal cruelty charges
- It is believed it was abandoned by homeless squatters before owners moved in
The new owners of a Maine home have found a malnourished dog cowering in a locked closet.
The dog, which is believed to be a pitbull-mix puppy, needed urgent medical attention after it was abandoned in the property.
Authorities are now hunting for the pet’s owner who could face criminal animal cruelty charges.
The new owners of a Maine home have found a malnourished dog abandoned in a locked closet
Officer Douglas Bell told the Bangor Daily News: ‘Once the humane society looks at him, we’ll have a better idea of whether he’s suffered any infections or serious injuries.
‘Once we’re able to interview the owner and know the dog’s condition, we’ll have a better idea of what we might charge them with.’
Police are currently holding the dog before a state animal welfare officer will take it to Central Aroostook Humane Society in Presque Isle for treatment.
The Caribou home was only bought recently and the new owners were about to carry out renovations when they found the dog.
It started acting aggressively after it was taken from the closet by officers because of the abandonment and having not eaten for some time.
Caribou police said the dog had not been ‘properly cared for in quite some time.’
Police are currently holding the dog before a state animal welfare officer will take it to Central Aroostook Humane Society in Presque Isle for treatment
It is not believed the home’s previous owners were responsible for leaving the dog behind.
Police said: ‘The dog was abandoned at the home while it was vacant, meaning after the previous owner left but before it was just purchased.’
One line of inquiry is that two homeless people may have owned the neglected dog.
Police believe they may have been squatting in the home in the months it was left vacant before the new owners moved in.
Those arrested could be charged with cruelty or aggravated cruelty to animals, depending on the dog’s condition.
A conviction could result in a $500 fine for each violation, plus the costs for the medical treatment.
The owner could also be banned from owning an animal or working with them for five years.