The Strange Case Of The Dog That Wasn't Put Down

HOWELL, NJ — As the investigation continues into the circumstances of a minature pinscher who was found to be alive five months after his owners thought he had been put to sleep, the questions and the debate continue on social media.

Howell Township police said on Wednesday that the investigation, with the assistance of the Monmouth County SPCA, is continuing.

Howell Township police are not releasing the name of the employee who had Ceasar for the past five months, and Patch attempts to track down home telephone numbers for Levy and for Dr. George Menez, the veterinarian, were not successful.

Here's what we know:

1. Keri Levy of Freehold Township called Howell police on Oct. 16 to report her minature pinscher, Ceaser, had been stolen. Howell Detective Sgt. Christian Antunez said Levy told police she had taken Ceasar, who was 15, to Menez at Briarwood Veterinary Hospital in Howell on May 17 to be euthanized due to his declining health.

In an interview with NJ.com, Levy said Ceasar had been diagnosed with Cushing's syndrome.

According to WebMD, Cushing's syndrome causes the dog's body to produce too much cortisol, a hormone that helps regulate control a dog's weight, fight infections, control the animal's stress and keep its blood sugar levels stable. It is found in older dogs, and can be tricky to diagnose because it mimics other illnesses, according to WebMD.

Treatment can be expensive. The medication being used most often is Trilostane, which helps to regulate the cortisol levels, according to veterinary websites. The pills are usually given twice a day, according to an article on theMassachusetts SPCA website by Dr. Doug Brum. The pills come in doses from 5mg to 120mg; Allivet.com lists a 30-count pack of 5mg pills for $32.99 (plus shipping). Brum said the treatment is effective in 85 percent of dogs.

2. After making the decision to have Ceasar euthanized, Levy left the veterinarian's office, then was called several hours later and told she could pick up the dog's collar.

Many people have questioned why she did not stay for the procedure. Others have defended Levy, saying the decision to have pet put down was heartwrenching as it was and staying through the procedure was simply unbearable.

According to a report by NJ 101.5, Levy said the heartache was too much. She told the radio station she had a dog put down previously by Menez and had not stayed that time because she had her then-6-month-old child with her.

3. Levy told both NJ.com and NJ 101.5 that Ceasar had lost 10 pounds during the five-month interval and was suffering and in bad shape when the employee brought him back to the vet hospital for the meeting where Ceasar was euthanized.

What is not clear is whether the 10 pounds is simply an exaggeration or a true measure. Minature pinschers are a small breed that typically average 8 to 10 pounds and fall into the "toy" group, according to the American Kennel Club. It was originally bred in Germany to hunt vermin, primarily rats, in homes and stables, according to DogTime.com.

Learning through an anonymous phone call that Ceasar was still alive added to her heartbreak, Levy told NJ.com report. She then tracked down Menez, and according to a report by NJ 101.5, was told an employee of the veterinary hospital had taken Ceasar home.

Antunez said Menez allowed the employee at the office assisting in the procedure to take Caesar home out of compassion for the dog and a desire to rehabilitate the dog's health. This was done so without Levy's consent, Antunez said. The employee brought the dog to the veterinary hospital and turned it over to Levy, who then had the dog euthanized. Howell Police were present for the exchange, Antunez said.

Antunez said that at the time of the dog's return, "officers and the detective investigating found the dog to be in good spirits and no obvious signs of neglect were apparent." He said the Monmouth County SPCA was looking into the issue of the Ceasar's condition and the attention he was given during the five months with the employee.

5. The new owner of the veterinary hospital refunded Levy's money for the euthanization that was not performed. One thing that is clear is that Levy was deceived when she paid for a service that was not performed, but what options for legal action exist are not clear.

Antunez said the investigation is continuing, but whether all of the questions will be answered satisfactorily for critics of both Levy and Menez remains to be seen.

Image via Morguefile