Ginger

Burned dog reunited with its owner and missing puppies in Milford
By Brian McCready and James Tinley, Special to The Register Citizen
Thursday, July 15, 2010

MILFORD — A dog that suffered terrible burns was reunited Wednesday with its owner, who police say has been ruled out as a suspect in the animal’s injuries.

The dog’s litter, which also was feared missing, was found with the owner, and all eight puppies are in good condition, said Animal Control Officer Rick George.

George and other members of the city’s Animal Control Office found the dog Saturday after responding to a complaint of a severely burned animal. They found the 2-year-old Staffordshire terrier, later dubbed “Ginger,” roaming in the area of Colonial Avenue.

The dog was suffering from severe burns on her neck just below her head, shoulders and front paws. Additionally, the pups were thought to be missing, and taken too soon from their mother.

But Wednesday, George said the owner, who does not live in Milford, and the injured dog were reunited, and the “dog was very good with her.” Police spokesman Officer Jeffrey Nielsen said the dog’s owner is not a suspect in the injuries.

“The owner is very happy to know she is OK,” George said. “I met with the owner, and she was genuinely concerned.”

“She was very happy to see the dog, and the dog will be going home soon,” said George.

George said the owner, whom authorities have not identified, noticed the dog missing Friday.

The owner had been about to take the dog and the pups to the veterinarian, and tied the terrier to the fence for about 20 minutes. When she returned, the dog had vanished.

George said it’s his belief the dog was snatched because it was unlikely the terrier would leave her pups.

“The distance involved is too far,” George said. “The dog did not just walk into Milford.”

Nielsen said the owner didn’t originally panic over the missing dog because it had gotten loose before and always returned home.

A friend of the owner saw stories in the media about Ginger’s injuries and called the owner, who then immediately called animal control officials, Nielsen said.

George said the owner was able to verify who she was by producing pictures of the dog on her camera.

“Our detective and animal control verified that she had the puppies, and they were in good health and she was taking care of them,” Nielsen said.

Authorities do not know how the dog came to be injured.

Since news of Ginger’s story surfaced this week, hundreds of phone calls have poured into the Milford Animal Control office, and more than $2,000 has been donated for the dog’s medical bills.

George said other than the injuries, the dog is in good health as are her pups. He said the puppies are now 5 weeks old and can survive on their own.

“Ginger is responding well to her treatment, and has two weeks left in the animal hospital,” he said.

United Way of Milford has set up a fund to allow people to donate by check or credit card online. Checks can be mailed to United Way of Milford c/o Ginger P.O. Box 221, Milford 06460; or visit www.unitedwayofmilford.org and look for the Ginger link.

Source: http://www.registercitizen.com/articles/2010/07/15/news/doc4c3f17f5b6071061275479.txt
Printer-friendly version here