Perth Amboy Husky Pictured On Facebook Not Starving, Police Say

PERTH AMBOY, NJ — The photo spread through Facebook and other social media Wednesday night like wildfire. A very skinny, emaciated-looking Siberian Husky was tied outside a home in Perth Amboy, with his stomach drastically sunken in.

Patch was even contacted by several readers, begging us to look into what appeared to be case of possible animal abuse.

But it's not, Perth Amboy police said. On Thursday afternoon, Perth Amboy police announced they looked into this, and the dog is neither starving nor being neglected. It was merely recovering from surgery when the photo was taken, the police said. However, the NJ SPCA told Patch they are still investigating the case.

"The Perth Amboy Police Department was alerted to a possible animal neglect situation just after 8:00 p.m. (Wednesday)," the department said in a statement. "The initial call included information regarding a social media post with a picture of a Siberian Husky and information regarding the dog’s health and well-being. Shortly after the initial call, multiple additional calls were received."

"Perth Amboy police officers were dispatched to the location to check the welfare of a Siberian Husky, Silver. Upon arrival at the home, Silver’s owners were extremely cooperative with the officers," police said. "The officers found Silver inside the residence. Silver appeared healthy and well cared for."

"We were able to confirm that the photo circulating on social media of Silver was not a recent photo. It was taken earlier this year when the owners first took custody of Silver. At the time, Silver was sick and recovering from surgery. The SPCA was informed of the situation and provided both the old photo and current photos of Silver," the police continued.

Perth Amboy police said had they found Silver in distress, they would have called Animal Control. They also thanked members of the public for their concern for Silver's well-being. They also said they took action as soon as they got the first call about Silver on Wednesday night.

The NJ SPCA is still investigating the case, said spokesman Matt Stanton, but would give few details more.

"A specific action plan is in place, which includes follow-up visits by the NJSPCA to the property and specific actions to be taken by the owner," he said, but did not elaborate.

"Although this incident has been determined to be an erroneous report, the members of the Perth Amboy Police Department take any reports of animal cruelty seriously. The public may have been led to believe that there were previous calls to the Perth Amboy Police Department regarding Silver, however this was proven to be untrue," Perth Amboy police said.

"This was the first animal complaint for this location and animal. The Perth Amboy Police Department is optimistic that the social media posts were not created or circulated to unnecessarily stir public concern or with any malicious intent."

Here is a Facebook post from animal welfare group Reformers - Advocates for Animal Shelter Change.

Image via Pixabay