Person responsible for 'shocking' animal cruelty sought in Brockton

BROCKTON, Mass. — A young Chihuahua found abandoned in a crate on the driveway of a Brockton animal shelter died from overheating on the way to an animal hospital, according to MSPCA.

The organization is now offering a $1,000 reward for information that will lead them to the people responsible for the dog’s death.

The shelter’s manager, Joyce Caranci, found the carrier halfway up the driveway around 8:10 a.m. Tuesday when it was already about 80 degrees.

"Reached my hand inside the carrier and felt how hot it was in that carrier," Caranci said. "Took her out, felt a heart beat and realized she wasn’t gone yet."

Caranci did all she could for the dog, but it didn't survive the trip.

"I grabbed an ice pack and a towel, and held her to try to get something cool down on her," Caranci said.

Rob Halpin, the director of public relations for the MSPCA, said the timing in the day couldn't save the crate from getting hot.

"In a dark-colored carrier in the sun, it doesn't take long for the temp to heat up as it did for this poor dog," Halpin said.

The dog's body was about 110 degrees – the thermometer's highest reading – when it was inspected.

That’s almost 10 degrees higher than the average canine body temperature.

The dog is a one-year-old Chihuahua mix and is brown and white, weighing about 10 pounds.

She had no microchip or ID tags and police are looking for the people who abandoned her.

MSPCA Law Enforcement Officer Nadya Branca is leading the investigation.

“This is a shocking instance of animal cruelty in which a young dog suffered an agonizing and totally preventable death—and we’re asking for the public’s help in bringing whoever is responsible for this to justice,” she said.

Anyone with information that may lead to the arrest and conviction of those responsible are urged to call the MSPCA’s toll-free Law Enforcement line at 800-628-5808.  The $1,000 reward will be given to anyone who brings forth information that leads to a conviction.

Animal cruelty is a felony crime in Massachusetts punishable by up to seven years in state prison and a fine of up to $5,000.

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