Death Of Norristown Dog Left In The Cold Being Investigated: Cops

NORRISTOWN, PA — Champ, the Norristown dog who was left outside in the cold to freeze to death earlier in January, is getting an investigation into his treatment and death.

A criminal complaint was filed against the owner of the dog, however, no arrests have been made.

Champ, a tan pit bull, was found dead just before midnight on Jan. 6 at a home on the 1200 block of Swede Street, police said.

The residence had received four complaints of animal cruelty over the past year. When police spoke with the resident, she told them that it was her who had left the dog outside, according to the report.

The incident has spurred outrage from animal rights activists in the community, and a Facebook page, Justice for Champ, is advocating strongly for owner to be held legally accountable.

Organizers with that group say that from Jan. 2017 to just before Champ's death, the SPCA and Norristown Police Department were called several times by local residents concerned over Champ's well-being.

"I and others refuse to let this be swept under the rug, to be forgotten about," a post on the page from last week read. "Change must occur to attempt to prevent this from happening again to another dog. Champ endured cruelty for quite some time before his passing despite warnings and help offered to his owner. There must be consequences to those actions."

The Norristown Police Department, along with the Montgomery County District Attorney's Office, are spearheading the investigation.

"In order to build a stronger case for prosecution, additional investigative avenues are being pursued," police said in a statement.

The next step is for a veterinarian to perform a necropsy to help determine a cause of death.

The public will be notified if an arrest is made, which appears likely.

Patch file photo