A 7-month-old pit bull/lab mix was found stuffed into a suitcase near the doors of Mt. Vernon Animal Shelter Wednesday morning. The SPCA of Westchester says it is too early to tell if the puppy, who they've named "Louie", will survive.
According to the SPCA of Westchester, the puppy was so emaciated—weighing only 16 pounds, instead of around 40—that it could not stand. Louie was rushed to the SPCA of Westchester’s Simpson Clinic in Briarcliff Manor, where he was given emergency treatment for dehydration and malnourishment.
Louie will be monitored closely over the next 24 hours.
SPCA of Westchester’s Director of Humane Law Enforcement (HLE) Ernest Lungaro is investigating this incident of animal cruelty, as well as the dumping of an akita/pit bull mix. Surveillance footage shows the adult dog being dumped in the same location in the middle of the night, a few hours earlier.
If anyone has any information on either incident, please call Director Lungaro on the SPCA of Westchester’s confidential animal cruelty hotline at (914) 941-7797.