PETA Offers Reward To Help Solve Dog-Starving Case: UPDATE

BRANFORD, CT — PETA is offering a reward of up to $5,000 for help in solving a dog-starving case.

On Monday morning, a driver reportedly saw an emaciated dog collapse near the Big Y Plaza on Route 1 in Branford, and rushed the animal, now named Hope, to the Dan Cosgrove Animal Shelter, where a veterinarian determined that she had been starved, PETA officials said. She was believed to be less than 48 hours away from death and was unable to stand, walk, or lift her head.

Hope—who is between 5 and 7 years old and may have been used for breeding—is now receiving 24/7 care as officials search for whoever is responsible for neglecting and abandoning her. PETA is offering a reward of up to $5,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction on cruelty charges of the person or persons responsible for this crime, officials said.

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"Would you please share these photos and information with your audience? Someone may recognize this dog, and it might be the only way to apprehend those responsible for her condition," PETA officials said.

"Hope had almost completely wasted away and only narrowly escaped starving to death," says PETA Vice President Colleen O'Brien in a statement. "PETA is urging anyone with information about this case to come forward immediately so that this dog's abuser can be held accountable and prevented from hurting anyone else."

PETA—whose motto reads, in part, that "animals are not ours to abuse in any way"—cautions families to keep an eye on animal companions when they're outdoors and never leave them unattended in the backyard, where they can be hurt by other animals or cruel humans.

Anyone with information about this case is encouraged to contact the Dan Cosgrove Animal Shelter at 203-315-4125.

For more information, please visit PETA.org.