Police seek owner of neglected dog found in Acra

ACRA—The Town of Cairo Police Department is seeking the public's assistance in identifying the owner or owners of a dog found in Acra on November 6 that the Columbia-Greene Humane Society/SPCA (CGHS/SPCA) says was “severely neglected.”

The dog, a female Maltese mix estimated to be between 3 and 5 years old, was discovered running through the woods near the intersection of Fairview Road and Old Route 23. She was recovered by Cairo police and subsequently brought to CGHS/SPCA by dog control for evaluation and medical care.

According to CGHS/SPCA, the dog's coat was severely matted, with thick, tangled masses of fur covering much of her body, including her face and ears. Beneath the matting, medical personnel discovered numerous sores.

The shelter's medical team immediately began evaluating her condition, and a veterinarian assigned her a body condition score of 3 out of 9, indicating that she was underweight. Her condition required a complete shave-down and extensive mat removal to expose and assess the affected skin.

Her incoming paperwork listed her coat as “gray,” but grooming revealed her coat to be white beneath the mats. She received initial vaccinations and other treatments as part of her medical care, the humane society said.

Shelter staff have temporarily named the dog "Sunshine." This is not her known or registered name, but one given to her while authorities work to establish her identity and determine the circumstances that led to her condition.

"The condition in which this dog was found is deeply disturbing," said Ron Perez, president and CEO of CGHS/SPCA. "No animal should be allowed to deteriorate to this extent. We hope someone in the community can provide information that will help authorities determine what happened to her."

Authorities may pursue charges as the investigation progresses, according to CGHS/SPCA.

Anyone with information about the identity of Sunshine's owner or owners, or the circumstances surrounding her condition, is urged to contact the Town of Cairo Police Department at 518-622-3120, daily from 8 a.m. to midnight.

Sunshine remains in the care of CGHS/SPCA, where she continues to receive medical attention.