Police need help with animal cruelty case in pup's death

TEXAS -- The Austin Police Department Animal Cruelty Unit is asking for the public’s help in finding anyone who may have information about an abused 3-month-old brindle pit bull puppy they found in North Austin. The puppy died later from its injuries.

Officials found the puppy in the 1400 block of East Applegate Drive on Thursday around 3 p.m. Extremely thin and weighing only 14 pounds, the puppy was found inside a wire cage with a sheet draped over it.

  

The puppy was covered in urine and feces and had an injury to its left eye. Police say the puppy wore a turquoise harness with white trim.

Anyone with information about this puppy is asked to call the APD Animal Cruelty tip line at 512-978-0523.

According to APD, in 2013, there were 232 animal cruelty cases that resulted in 15 arrests. In 2014, the agency investigated 204 animal cruelty cases that resulted in 15 arrests. In 2015, there have been 40 animal cruelty cases that resulted five arrests.

(KXAN - April 8, 2015)