Skeletal puppy thrown in ditch and left to die in Michigan

MICHIGAN -- UPDATE: It's a story bringing people to tears, a disturbing case of animal cruelty out of Frankenmuth.

Police are looking for the person who left a dog for dead in a shallow ditch.

Officer William Gutzwiller believes the dog was thrown out of a car and dumped, possibly by some abusive owners.

"There was no doubt in my mind that this puppy was dumped by some individual that does not care about life," he said.

Neighbor Bob Kartz who lives along Baker and Reimer in Frankenmuth said it's sickening and stunning all in one.

"I have no idea why they would do something like that, that's pretty cruel," said Kartz.

 

But the thought that someone would do this to a defenseless animal is what Gutzwiller struggles to understand.

"To walk down and check on the puppy that was dead and to have that puppy look at me with those big beautiful blue eyes this was not a human being that did this ,this was an animal themselves," said Gutzwiller.

Frankenmuth Police say they will focus all their effort on catching whoever is responsible, so the neglected puppy never has to endure pain or suffering at the hands of a human again.

"Frankenmuth police department will do anything and everything they can to bring this case to justice, this is not tolerated, this is a severe case of animal cruelty," said Gutzwiller.

First responders have now affectionately named the pit-bull mix "Lucky"he is undergoing care from a Saginaw veterinarian and is beginning the process of healing. Police say anyone with information should contact Frankenmuth police department.

EARLIER:
Frankenmuth Police Department say on Friday, Aug. 14 at around 9 a.m., Frankenmuth Police patrols found a severely emaciated and dehydrated dog in a ditch in the area of Reimer and Baker Roads, in Frankenmuth Township.

Police say the male Pit Bull mix appeared to have been thrown from a moving car into a ditch, and was near death.

Saginaw County Animal Control transported the dog to a Saginaw area veterinary facility, and the dog is currently in stable condition.

Police say this case is under investigation by the Frankenmuth Police Department and will utilize every resource available to identify who is responsible for this crime.

Police ask if anyone has any information about the dog, and/or its former owner(s), please contact FPD Detective Flathau at (989) 652-8371, Extension 161.

(WSMH - Aug 14, 2015)