WYNLAND – A Chihuahua found dead in a urine-soaked duffel bag dumped along railroad tracks was lucky to be alive, asylum officials said Monday.
A dog walker discovered a discarded bundle behind Gerresheimer Glass Co., near Crystal Avenue near Park Avenue, on Saturday. His dog began barking and sniffing the tied green bag stuffed with several other bags.
“That was when he noticed the bag was moving and heard something,” said Jessica Morrison of the South Jersey Regional Animal Shelter. “He took it very quickly and brought it here to us.”
The crew of the North Delsea Drive animal pier cut three bags that contained a female chihuahua.
“She was in a mesh bag and then in a plastic bag,” Morrison said. These two bags were tied in a cloth bag.
The timing of the rescue was critical.
“I don’t know how much more she would have,” Morrison said.
After his release, the dog showed signs of suffering.
“She was shaking, she fell in the first steps,” Morrison said.
Shelters said they were “sick of the outrageous act of animal cruelty.”
They placed a reward of $ 1,000 for the tip, which would lead to the arrest and conviction of the culprit.
“It was very intentional,” Morrison said. “I can’t even tie it.”
The dog, nicknamed Coco, is about a year old. For several hours she remained in the shelter, where she was examined by a veterinarian.
There were no outward signs of injury, but the dog was underweight and dehydrated.
“Despite this horrific incident, and it was probably traumatic for her, she is still kind and affectionate,” Morrison said.
Coco is now in foster care.
“We’ll probably keep her there for a few weeks until she recovers from all this, and we’ll see what kind of house she really needs,” Morrison said.
Coco does not match the descriptions in the missing dog reports. No IDs were found in the bags.
Anyone who has identified the dog can contact the shelter by calling 856-691-1500.
The animal shelter has received many good wishes as well as inquiries about Coco.
“There are quite a few people interested in her adoption,” Morrison said.
While Coco is unavailable, Morrison said, the shelter has 57 dogs and 128 cats looking for homes.
“Each of them there also has a story, we may not know it, and it may not attract attention,” she said.
Anyone with information on the brutality case is asked to contact Vineland Police at 856-691-4111.
Deborah M. Mark covers the latest news, public safety and education for The Daily Journal, Courier-Post and the Burlington County Times. Do you have an idea for the story? Call 856-563-5256 or email dmarko@gannettnj.com. Follow Twitter: @dmarko_dj Instagram: deb.marko.dj Help support local journalism by subscribing.
