| Unknown | dog left to die in plastic bin | Stratham, NH | October 14, 2007 |
(All photo's courtesy of NHSPCA)
The 7-9 year old black and white female Cocker Spaniel was found
in a dark blue Sterilite plastic bin on October 14th. The bin was marked "Bar
Stuff" with Christmas bows in the bottom. Evidence indicates the dog
died in the container from suffocation. Evidence also indicates the dog struggled
to escape the sealed container.
The dog was wearing a lilac colored collar with blue
and yellow flowers. The dog at some point in her life gave birth to a litter
of pups and had an inflammation of the tear duct known as "cherry eye"
in her right eye. She had no name tag and was not microchipped. The bin was
left outside NHSPCA the animal shelter and the owner has not voluntarily come
forward.
The cruelty investigator has given the dog the name of Miranda - first to
give her the dignity of a name and the second is that if the owner is identified,
he/she will be read their miranda rights under state law upon being arrested
for this crime.
The case is currently under investigation by the NHSPCA and the Stratham NH
Police Department. Anyone with information is urged to call the NHSPCA investigator
at 603-772-2921 extension 111 or call the Stratham Police Department. Anonymity
can be granted if requested. The reward fund initially was $2,500 but it is
steadily increasing as more and more people learn about this case.
Our organization sent out faxes and emails to transport organizations and veterinarians in the New England Area along as well as to spaniel breeders throughout the country with not one single lead. Unfortunately without a lead, or the perpetrator coming forward this case will go cold and Miranda will not get the justice she so richly deserves. This dog did not have to die. The shelter the dog was left at takes animals in with little or no needed explanation. The bin was placed in an area where the shelter staff receive only supplies and it was on a day when the shelter was closed.
The NHSPCA now has security camera's set up outside the facility to prevent this ever from happening again but those of us who work with animal cruelty can't forget Miranda. The case will remain open.
Reference:
NHSPCA
Union Leader
WMUR
Seacoast Online
Complete World News