Dog dumped like garbage in Philly neighborhood; PSPCA seeks info

Someone ditched a dog in a trash bag, the second dog since November, and the Pennsylvania SPCA wants to know who left the dog out like garbage.

“This is the second case in recent history involving a dog being dumped in a trash bag where luckily a good Samaritan has intervened,” PSPCA’s Director of Humane Law Enforcement Nicole Wilson said.

“Dogs are not trash, and we urge anyone with information about this dog and the situation that led to its abandonment to come forward.”

The long-haired female dachshund was found on Wednesday evening by a good Samaritan on the 800 block of Pratt Street in the Lawncrest neighborhood, the PSPCA said. Named Francis, after former first lady Frances Cleveland, and taken to PSPCA’s Erie Avenue headquarters for medical care.

Rather than abandoning a pet or leaving it for death, the PSPCA asks that those whose pets’ need medical care visit a facility like the organization’s low-cost veterinary clinic.

For those who cannot afford the cost of pet care, the PSPCA urges them to surrender their pets either at PSPCA or at the Animal Care and Control Team of Philadelphia.

“Dogs and other pets are not trash, but rather living beings that deserve compassion, care and respect,” PSPCA spokeswoman Gillian Kocher said. “We work to provide as many affordable options as possible for pet owners to avoid situations like this – not only dedicating ourselves to investigation acts of cruelty, but preventing it in the first place.”

After another dog, Cranberry, was found in a garbage bag neglected and “emaciated,” the PSPCA set up a donation page to help animals like Cranberry and Francis recovering in the PSPCA’s Shelter Hospital.

Kocher delivered good news about Cranberry, who made a “full recovery” and was adopted after the holidays.

She “helps her new dad work from home many days a week and then goes to doggy daycare on the days when her dad goes into the office,” she added.

Anyone who has information about who left Francis should call the organization’s cruelty hotline at 866-601-7722. Tips can be left anonymously.

Follow Kimberly M. Aquilina on Twitter@KimESTAqui.