Starving dog tossed in garbage inside a suitcase in the Bronx recovering

MELROSE (WABC) -- A dog found stuffed inside a suitcase and then tossed into the trash in the Bronx is showing signs of recovery.

In January, police on patrol at the Melrose Housing Development were alerted by a passerby to a malnourished dog.

The officers discovered the 3-year-old brown pit bull in the rear of the building.

It had been stuffed inside a suitcase and thrown into a dumpster.

The dog, named Fraggle, was taken to the ASPCA in very serious condition with malnutrition and other health issues.

After ongoing medical treatment, the ASPCA says progress has been slow, but Fraggle is recovering. He has begun to eat on his own and can walk small distances unaided.

A reward of $20,000 is being offered by the ASPCA for information leading to an arrest and conviction in the case of animal cruelty, in addition to $2,000 being offered by NYPD Crime Stoppers.

"Fraggle would likely not have survived much longer in the suitcase given his fragile state," said Howard Lawrence, Senior Director, ASPCA Anti-Cruelty Group. "This was a deliberate and callous act of cruelty that deserves justice. We encourage anyone with information to please contact the NYPD immediately."

Anyone with information in regard to this incident is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477).