YORK, Pa. — Police in York are searching for the man accused of severely beating a puppy with a stick Wednesday night.
The dog, a German Shepherd that's believed to be between six and eight months old, is now safely recovering at Mason Dixon Animal Emergency Hospital in Shrewsbury Township.
“We were all very heartbroken of course when we saw and heard what was going on and we all went into his cage and tried to give him as much love as possible," said Lindsay Copenhaver, one of the veterinary technicians at Mason Dixon.
York City police say the alleged crime happened around 9:00 p.m. Wednesday behind a row of homes in the 400 block of South Pershing Avenue.
“Nobody wants to see anyone or anything being beaten and what’s troubling is the sounds that the dog was making and that’s what alerted some of the witnesses," said Captain Daniel Lentz of the York City Police Department.
The pup was found unconscious by police.
“They saw the dog was very badly beaten, bloody and just not well-off," said Captain Lentz.
Officers got the dog to Mason Dixon Animal Emergency Hospital, where he remains in critical condition.
“We don’t know his name so right now we call him 'Chance' because this is his second chance at life," the veterinary technicians told FOX43 on Thursday.
"Chance" suffered fractures to his left eye socket, his jaw and his left forelimb.
Vets say the pup is also extremely malnourished.
“Thankfully he has been getting up and eating for us today so I think he’s a little bit more comfortable than when he first got here," said Copenhaver.
The puppy will stay at Mason Dixon at least through the weekend, depending on how his recovery goes.
The York County SPCA has taken responsibility for the dog.
Meanwhile, police were back out near South Pershing Avenue on Thursday morning investigating.
“It’s such an awful case and for those officers to have to see that dog in that condition," said Captain Lentz. "We’re hoping we’ll get some output from the community to help identify this individual.”
Captain Lentz says they're trying to track down witnesses and surveillance video to help them solve the case.
The suspect is described as a man standing about 6’5, last seen wearing a red shirt.
It's not known if the suspect is the owner of the dog.
“We just want them to come forward and say what they did and take the blame for it because no animal deserves this, especially him," said Copenhaver. "He’s such a sweet dog.”
Anyone with information is asked to submit a tip online or by contacting the YCPD through any of the following methods:
- Email Sergeant Benjamin Smith at bsmith@yorkcity.org
- Call the York City Police Tip Line at 717-849-2204
- Call the York City Police Department at 717-846-1234 or 717-849-2219