Nassau SPCA seeks tips after severely neglected dog left at shelter

Who abused a dog named Athena?

The Nassau County SPCA and investigators from the Nassau District Attorney's Office are hoping to talk to a man seen in surveillance video dropping off the severely neglected dog last week at an animal rescue shelter in Freeport.

And Wednesday at a news conference outside an animal shelter in Howard Beach, Queens, Nassau SPCA Board president Gary Rogers and Nassau District Attorney Anne Donnelly announced a $5,000 reward for any information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person responsible for endangering the animal.

"Whoever did this has been doing this a long time, and the only reason this dog is alive is because it had will," Rogers said.

Rogers said the mixed-breed female, estimated to be about 5 years old, was dropped off at 4:44 a.m. Thursday at Bobbi and the Strays on Rider Place. It appeared to have been forced to live for what likely was months in a cramped pet cage in its own feces and urine, he said.

While it's unclear what role, if any, the person in the surveillance footage might've played in the welfare of the dog, Rogers said he's certain they'll know the story behind what happened.

"We don't know if they're a Good Samaritan," Rogers said, adding: "Maybe this person knows who did this and they wanted to save this animal. He has the key to all the information we need."

Speaking at the news conference, Donnelly said: "Athena cannot tell us her story. She cannot tell us how or why someone did this to her. She cannot tell us the suffering she has endured. But these injuries — and now the medical records we have — tell us a very clear story. Athena suffered greatly and we need the public’s help in finding out who did this to her. That is why we need to speak to the person on the video who dropped Athena off."

Anyone with information about the case is asked to call 516-843-7722 or contact the SPCA online at nassaucountyspca.org. All calls and messages will remain confidential.

Donnelly also asked anyone with information to contact the Nassau District Attorney's Animal Crimes Unit at 516-571-7755, option 8.

"This dog has no muscle mass, can barely stand," Rogers said. "It has pressure sores, urine burns, is severely underweight. ... It's the worst neglect I've ever seen." 

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"This is a horrendous, depraved act," he added.

Rogers said his biggest concern is that animal cruelty often is a precursor to other abuse and crimes. He said law enforcement needs to determine if other animals — or even people — are at risk.

"Is there anything else going on in the home?'" Rogers said.

Both he and Donnelly noted the close investigative ties between the SPCA, the Animal Crimes Unit and local animal rescue organizations and veterinarians. 

"Are there other pets in the home being neglected?" he said. "Are there children, are there elderly there?  . . . That's why we need answers." 

With Anthony Florio

By John Valenti

john.valenti@newsday.com

John Valenti, a reporter at Newsday since 1981, has been honored nationally by the Associated Press and Society of the Silurians for investigative, enterprise and breaking news reporting, as well as column writing, and is the author of “Swee'pea,” a book about former New York playground basketball star Lloyd Daniels. Valenti is featured in the Emmy Award-winning ESPN 30-for-30 film “Big Shot.”