Montreal SPCA appeals to public for help identifying owners of dog found suffering
9-year-old shih tzu euthanized after vet team determined she couldn't be saved
The Montreal SPCA is seeking the public's help to identify the owner of a dog found suffering from gross neglect that had to be euthanized Wednesday.
The dog, a nine-year-old shih tzu that SPCA staff named Penelope, was found abandoned last weekend in the parking lot of a Harvey's restaurant near the SPCA's headquarters on Jean-Talon Boulevard.
"She was suffering from severe problems that can't just show up overnight, that require months of inadequate care," SPCA lawyer Sophie Gaillard told CBC News.
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The dog was in critical condition, suffering from serious problems with her eyes and skin as well as malnutrition, severe dehydration, organ failure and untreated diabetes.
SPCA veterinarians determined that she was not likely to recover and euthanized Penelope on Wednesday morning.
"Unfortunately, the tests revealed that her organs were shutting down and there was really nothing we could do to keep her comfortable," Gaillard said.
"The chances of her recovery were almost nil."
$1,000 reward for information
Gaillard said the SPCA has no leads or video evidence and is appealing to the public to come forward with information of suspicious activity around the time Penelope was found.
"Animal cruelty is a serious criminal offence and the perpetrator of this act could face up to five years in prison," she said.
The organization is offering a $1,000 reward for information that leads to the successful prosecution of the dog's owners on animal cruelty charges.
Anyone with information is asked to contact SPCA investigations unit by email at inspection@spca.com or by telephone at (514) 735-2711, extension 2230.
All information is considered confidential.