Abandoned Dog Found Deep in Woods, Tied to Tree in Temps over 100 Degrees
If dogs could talk, an abandoned pup named Pesci would have a bittersweet story to tell.
For reasons we may never know, somebody abandoned Pesci deep in the woods of Dutchess County, New York. He was chained to a tree with no food and no water as late July temperatures soared.
A New York State Department of Transportation employee, Patrick Harden, was patrolling the area on July 24 when he heard a troubling sound.
“While picking up garbage in the grass We heard a dog barking but we knew there were no homes in that area,” Harden wrote on Facebook.
“I noticed some grass matted down and we heard more barking when we found a dog abandoned and tied to a tree,” Harden continued. “He must’ve been left there over the weekend in the 100 degree heat because all the grass around him was dead, and he was just excited to see a person.”
Harden and his colleagues called the police, who came and dropped the dog off at the Dutchess County SPCA.
While disgusted that somebody would abandon a dog in this manner, Harden was glad to see that Pesci was upbeat and happy to see someone — anyone — who could help.
“You’ve got to be quite a piece of work to dump an animal off the interstate and tying him to a tree knowing he will die instead of taking him to the SPCA or at least letting him run off on his own,” Harden wrote.
“Luckily he still had high spirits even after being abandoned and I’m sure he’ll be adopted quickly to a loving family.”
Lynne Meloccaro, executive director of the Dutchess County SPCA, said that when Pesci arrived, he was a bit dehydrated. Otherwise, his health was good and he was brimming with excitement to have some human interaction.
“He was very happy and excited to see anyone,” Meloccaro told The Dodo. “He had been there for quite a while in 100-plus [degree] weather. He’s clearly got a strong will to live.”
As rescue staff have gotten to know Pesci, they have found him to be lovable and easygoing.
“He is a very sweet soul,” Meloccaro said. “He’s happiest when he’s with people — he loves to play and get cuddles.”
According to The Dodo, police are thoroughly investigating Pesci’s abandonment case in hopes of bringing the responsible party to justice.
“That he was so far off the road suggests that whoever put him there did not intend for him to be found easily,” Meloccaro said.
Meloccaro is confident that Pesci will soon be settled into a forever family.
“He will be ready for adoption very soon, and given the public interest in this case, I think he will find his forever home in a shorter amount of time than he spent tied to that tree,” Meloccaro said.
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