An animal cruelty investigation is underway after several pit bull puppies showing signs of abuse and neglect were abandoned Sunday morning in Salem, Massachusetts, police said.
The Salem Police Department says it received several reports of the puppies being abandoned at various locations throughout the city early Sunday when temperatures were in the 20s and low 30s with wind chills as cold as the teens.
According to police, two dogs were recovered from the North Street/Federal Street area, and two more were recovered from the Proctor Street area. One more puppy was reportedly abandoned in that area and may still be on the loose.
The dogs that were abandoned are malnourished and dehydrated, police said. The puppies also showed signs of having been abused and neglected, and police confirmed they are investigating this as a case of animal cruelty.
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“They were malnourished, they had their ribs showing, spine showing. Marks around their snouts and muzzle area and all appeared to have a terrible odor," Police Captain John Burke said. "They were not taken very well care of”
Police tell NBC10 Boston they believe these dogs were being used to breed.
The Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals has been notified, police added.
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The dogs -- two males and two females -- were taken to "It's Raining Pets" doggie daycare where they have been groomed, fed and taken to the veterinarian for medical care. All four are expected to make a full recovery and have already been named -- Homer, Sazzofrans, Tarzan and Jane.
They will be fostered and one of them is possibly being adopted by the vet.
Mike Keiley with the MSPCA says there are multiple options if anyone is facing with having to give up their pet.
“It’s important for everyone to know that we recognize that people fall on hard times and sometimes get intro desperate situations,” he said. "If someone comes to the conclusion that it’s time to separate from their animal because of their life circumstances or whatever the case may be, they do have options to relinquish the animal to the MSPCA or other adoption agencies around the state.”
When NBC10 Boston visited the doggie daycare on Monday, animal control arrived with another pit bull that had been found in the North Street area but police don't yet know if it's connected to this investigation.
Police say they still have no leads and are asking the public for help by looking at home surveillance systems. Anyone with information on whoever is responsible for abandoning the puppies is asked to please contact detectives at 978-745-9700, Salem police dispatch at 978-744-1212, or the anonymous tip line at 978-619-5627.
This investigation is active and ongoing.
