$5,000 reward offered after dog starves to death in Inwood

INWOOD, New York (WABC) -- A $5,000 reward is being offered by the Nassau County SPCA for information leading to the arrest and conviction of whoever starved a dog to death in Inwood.

The female terrier/pit bull mix, named Terry by District Attorney's Office investigators, was dropped off by an unknown individual at approximately 3 p.m. on Thursday, August 11, at the Five Towns Animal Hospital.

The dog was found to be severely emaciated and too weak to hold her head up.

"I would put ice on her, ice packs, and put cold water on her and put some cold water in her mouth to keep her hydrated," Five Towns Animal Shelter's Gloria Van Dewater said. "But there really wasn't anything. The only movement she made was the twitching of her eye."

Veterinary staffers transported the dog inside on a stretcher and found her to be about 20 pounds underweight, with open sores on her back. The dog was then transported to the New York Veterinary Specialty Center in Farmingdale, where she later succumbed to renal and kidney failure.

"This innocent animal suffered and ultimately died a painful death because of the heartless neglect of her owner," Nassau County District Attorney Madeline Singas said. "I'm grateful to the Nassau County SPCA for offering this $5,000 reward to help us find and prosecute whoever let this poor dog starve to death. We will not tolerate animal cruelty and neglect, and I'm hopeful that the public will help us get justice for Terry."

Anyone with information is urged to call the Nassau County DA's tip line at 516-571-7711, and reference case number 16716.