Humane Society Offers $5K Reward in 'Tragic' Dog Cruelty Case

The is trying to find out who left two severely neglected dogs at a San Bruno condo complex last week.

A reward of $5,000 is being offered for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for abandoning the two dogs, who were reportedly found in the "worst condition" the shelter’s veterinary and cruelty investigation staff have seen.

The dogs were first seen at the complex, located at , around midnight Friday by a resident pulling into a carport. The resident contacted complex security.

The dogs were alive, lying near outdoor parking stalls. 

The humane society was contacted the following morning, March 24, for “two sick dogs” who appeared to be abandoned, and an officer rushed to the complex.

Both dogs were immediately taken to the humane society's Airport Boulevard facility at Coyote Point in San Mateo. Upon examination, the dogs were believed to be in the worst condition the shelter’s veterinary and cruelty investigation staff have seen.

The dogs, unable to even walk upon intake, received pain medication immediately. But due to their overwhelmingly horrific medical conditions, the humane society's veterinarian determined that euthanasia was the only humane option, and the animals were euthanized later that day.

Both dogs, terrier-types (possibly mixes) were extremely matted and their coats were urine soaked and caked with feces; clumps of fur were 3 inches to 4 inches thick in places. Neither dog had identification tags or a microchip.

One dog, a female, black terrier mix approximately 3 years old to 4 years old, had a compound fracture of the front left leg with an exposed bone stump rounded at the edges, indicating an older, untreated injury. The remnant of the fractured leg was stuck to the body by severe matting. 

That dog was also missing its front right paw; this was evident only upon taking x-rays, as the legs were too matted to make out details. The dog also had a fractured right pelvis and was extremely thin. After having more than seven pounds of matted fur removed, the dog weighed slightly more than 11 pounds. 

The second dog, a black and white, male terrier mix approximately 10 years old, had a pronounced heart murmur and extremely enlarged heart. The dog had pale gums and was extremely thin. He had a fracture of the rear left leg and his front legs were extremely bowed, indicating long term malnourishment. This dog weighed about eight pounds after more than six pounds of matted fur were removed.

The staff veterinarian and investigator were certain both dogs had been suffering for months, possibly more than a year. 

“This is tragic,” humane society spokesperson Scott Delucchi said. “We are deeply saddened to know these dogs lived this way for some time and sickened to know their owner apparently didn’t seek help, but appears to have tossed them out like trash. We are as outraged as we would expect the public to be,” he said.

The humane society is now actively investigating the case and pursuing all leads.

One possibility is that the dogs belong to a hoarder. Anyone who suspects a neighbor of hoarding animals—especially small dogs—or smells a foul odor coming from a home, garage or yard, is asked to contact the Peninsula Human Society immediately. All tips should be directed to 650-340-7022, ext. 384.

The humane society believes it's possible someone in the area knows these dogs and knows the owner, and it is also possible that the owner has other pets currently suffering in poor condition.

It is illegal for someone to abandon a pet, according to state law, and to permit an injured animal to go without veterinary care.

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