MELROSE — The ASPCA is offering $20,000 to anyone with information that leads to the arrest and conviction of the person who abused and abandoned a pit bull left in a suitcase last week, according to an agency spokeswoman.
A passerby pointed out the scrawny 1-year-old brown pooch named Fraggle to police officers on Jan. 22 around 12:30 p.m., according to the NYPD.
The emaciated male dog had been put in a suitcase and placed in a dumpster behind 700 Morris Ave., outside the Melrose Houses in the 40th Precinct.
Officers immediately took the canine to the ASPCA so he could be treated for malnutrition, and police have opened up an animal cruelty investigation into the case.
"The 40 Detectives are running down every lead," Deputy Inspector Lorenzo Johnson, commanding officer of the 40th Precinct, said in an email. "They don't have anything substantial yet, but I am sure they will soon."
The dog is expected to recover, but Johnson said detectives have not been able to get much information on the culprit from the canine.
"He's barking, but not talking," the inspector said.
Anyone with information about this incident is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477). The public can also submit their tips by logging onto the Crime Stoppers website at www.nypdcrimestoppers.com or by texting their tips to 274637 (CRIMES), then entering TIP577.
