Quantcast

The DNAinfo archives brought to you by WNYC.
Read the press release here.

Poodle Rescued After Being Thrown from a Moving Car, Charity Founder Says

By Nicholas Rizzi | May 10, 2013 12:52pm
 Anarchy Animal Rescue found a malnourished, matted 1-year-old poodle mix they named Charlie this week.
Poodle Puppy Rescued After Thrown Out of a Moving Car in Staten Island
View Full Caption

MARINER’S HARBOR — A 1-year-old poodle was rescued by an animal charity after being thrown from a moving vehicle onto a Staten Island road, the group's founder said.

The poodle mix, later named Charlie, was found by a friend of a volunteer at Anarchy Animal Rescue, who said the puppy had been thrown from the car in the middle of a turn on South Avenue, near to Forest Avenue, on Wednesday.

“As the person went to make the turn out came Charlie and the bed,” said Fran Grimaldi, 35, president and co-founder of Anarchy Animal Rescue. She did not report the abandonment to the police.

Grimaldi said that stretch of South Avenue isn't heavily traveled, and Charlie was lucky somebody saw him get thrown out.

“There's not a lot of traffic over there,” she said. “It just so happened that this person was going down there and saw this.”

When Grimaldi’s rescue partner, Pamela Ward, went to get Charlie, he was in a wooded area laying in his bed. Grimaldi said they worried he would bite or be hostile, but Charlie had a calm temperament.

“They were kind of a little nervous in case he went to bite,” she said. “He gave her some kisses. He’s really sweet.”

The puppy was severely malnourished, had ticks and his hair was extremely matted, Grimaldi said.

“All his hair came off all in one,” she said, describing combing the dog.

Charlie has visited the vet and is doing OK.

Grimaldi said that pet abandonment on Staten Island has been a prevailing problem since she started her rescue two years ago.

Last year, the group found elderly Shih Tzu dogs abandoned at two parks on Staten Island.

“It’s out of control,” she said. “People need to know that there are these options.”

The group is waiting for Charlie to be neutered before they put him up for adoption, but so far its received more than 10 applications from people who want the pup, Grimaldi said.

The dog, who was named Charlie because he was found near the Charlie Brown Steak House, also had its medical care donated by veterinarian Dr. John Sangiorgio

The group plans to hold a press conference on Saturday with Assemblywoman Nicole Malliotakis, who introduced animal rights legislation previously, to tell residents that there are rescuers in the borough that will take their animals.

“They don't have to throw their dog out of their car,” Grimaldi said. “There are active rescues out in Staten Island that are willing to help if they can.”