SPCA: Severely Neglected Dog Being Treated, Reward Offered

(Update- Thursday 10 a.m.- The reward for information leading to an arrest now totals $2,000 as the the New York State Humane Association has announced an additional $1,000 reward.)

A dog found in an abandoned Lindenhurst house recently had hair so matted that he was unable to walk properly, Suffolk County SPCA officials said Wednesday. 

The Shih Tzu type dog was brought to the Town of Babylon Animal Shelter in "horrible condition" last week, according to a shelter worker. 

Now the SPCA is offering a $1,000 reward for information that leads to the arrest and conviction of the person(s) who abandoned the dog, who was found in a house located at 131 South 7th Street in Lindenhurst, officials said. 

Neighbors in the area were canvassed and said that the prior tenants moved out of the home almost a year ago, according to SPCA Chief Roy Gross. 

The dog, nicknamed "Ziggy," was shaved down at the animal shelter, where almost four pounds of matted hair was removed from the 11-pound dog, who also had overgrown nails and a very strong offensive odor.  

The dog was brought to NY Veterinary Specialty & Emergency Center in Farmingdale and has to go through extensive physical therapy to learn how to walk correctly again, officials said. NY Veterinary Specialty & Emergency Center is providing the service pro bono. Ziggy is estimated to be between 5 and 6 years old.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Suffolk County SPCA at 631-382-7722.  All calls will be kept confidential. 

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