'Blatant Starvation/Neglect' Involving Dog in Oxford: PD

A German Shepherd weighing 20-25 pounds underweight, has frostbite damaged ears and heart worm has State Police calling it a “blatant starvation/neglect case.”

On Friday, Jan. 22 at 2:36 p.m., State Trooper Donohoe was sent to 288 Governors Hill Road in Oxford for an anonymous phone call regarding a German shepherd dog being neglected, State Police said in a news release.

Trooper Donohoe spoke to the complainant who stated that he has noticed a German shepherd that is always tied up and left outside even in extremely cold weather, and at night he can hear the dog dropping his food bowl on the ground over and over, State Police said.

Trooper Donohoe observed the dog and noticed it was very thin, unkempt and had patchy fur, consistent with a neglected animal.

Trooper Donohoe also saw that the dog was tied with an approximately 5-foot-long leash and had no food or water within sight.

Based on the overall condition of the dog, Trooper Donohoe and Oxford Selectman Jeff Haney took possession of the dog and transported him to the Beacon Falls Animal Hospital, State Police said.

While at the animal hospital, Veterinarian Sackler conducted an examination on the dog and found it to be a “blatant starvation/neglect case,” State Police said.

Aside from being 20-25 pounds underweight, the dog had various medical issues to include frost bite damaged ears and heart worms.

Trooper Donohoe conducted more interviews and found that his was an ongoing neglect case.

Trooper Donohoe located the dog’s owner, Jonathon Foster, 26, and charged him with cruelty to animals, tethering and confining a dog for an unreasonable period of time, failure to license, and failure to vaccinate.

Foster is scheduled to appear in Derby Superior Court on March 1.

The dog remains in the custody of the Town of Oxford who will be looking to find an adopted home for him, State Police said.