Dog Abandoned In Erie Canal Up For Adoption

Arrests have been made in the criminal investigation for the abandoned dog in Rome who's been named River, and will soon be up for adoption. Who's looking for a forever friend?

The 2 men arrested for allegedly tying River up to a log in the Erie Canal (pictured below) has been charged with abandonment of an animal which is a class A misdemeanor.

River was found abandoned next to the Erie Canal on July 30 and she seems to be doing well today. This case concerned SPCA Animal Cruelty Investigator William Pulaski as the told WKTV:

"It’s definitely remote. Somebody went out of their way to come down here to do this. At this point we’re looking at it as intentional that somebody abandoned a dog, and where they placed the dog. It didn’t arrive here on accident."

Turns out he was right. Dee Schaefer, Humane Educator for the SPCA, told Cindy from The Eagle that the owner of River didn't want her anymore:

"Allegedly, the owner of the dog who lives in Rome, didn't want the her (River) anymore and then paid someone from Boonville to get rid of her in a remote location."

River has been eating well and has passed the mandatory temperament testing. She is scheduled to be spayed in the next few days and will then be put up for adoption at the SPCA in Syracuse. Thankfully, River will get another chance at a happy life with a new forever home. She's been through a lot but she's still a happy dog with the wiggles.

Listen to Cindy McMullen on 96.1 The Eagle weekdays 10-3pm!

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