Dog with Hacked Ears Tied Up at Woodbridge School

It's the kind of that thing guaranteed to turn your stomach.

A Cane Corso dog, now recuperating at the Woodbridge Animal Shelter, was found Tuesday, tied to the door at Port Reading School #9. The black mastiff-type dog, with a white marking on his chest, had apparently been the recipient of a home-done ear cropping.

The breed, considered by the American Kennel Club to have been a relatively rare dog native to Italy, has naturally floppy ears. According to the Cane Corso Coalition, ear cropping of the breed is "preferred by many," but is also illegal in some countries.

The dog was "frightened and defensive" when he was found, according to volunteers at the shelter. The dog, they said, is older, dirty, and probably kept outdoors.

The animal shelter is working with the Cane Corso Rescue group to handle the dog.

After only a day at the shelter, the volunteers said, "We are all already in love with him" on the Woodbridge Animal Shelter's Facebook page.

Concern for the poor dog poured in with comments. "I live across the street [from School] #9," said Allison Masarik. "I've never seen this pup, poor thing."

Josephine Ingrassia Bragg thought the dog seemed familiar. "This dog I think is from Carteret," she said. "I've it a few times and have even stopped to speak to the guy walking it."

If you have information on the dog, please call the Woodbridge Animal Shelter at 732-855-0600, ext. 5007.

Follow Woodbridge Patch on Facebook, Twitter and sign up for the daily newsletter.