Dog Abandoned In Plastic Bag In NYC Moved To Foster Home

GOWANUS, NY — A dog found stuffed in a garbage bag with his mouth taped shut near a Brooklyn highway was released from the animal hospital and went to a new foster home Friday. Despite his horrific ordeal, St. Vincent was a "gentle giant" who could not have been sweeter, carers said.

Though rescuers feared the dog would never be able to use his legs again, he walked from the medical center.

The 10- to 12-year-old shepherd mix which rescuers named St. Vincent was found in a bag at Highland Park in East New York last month and has been in treatment at VERG-North in Gowanus since.

"This is by far one of the most dramatic cases I've ever seen," said Dr. Brett Levitzke, medical director of VERG. "Just neglect and abuse, it's disgusting."

Though he was found near death, St. Vincent was taken out of the ICU over the weekend.

"It's night and day," Levitzke said.

St. Vincent will be fostered by Craig Fields, founder of the rescue group New York Bully Crew, in his Long Island home while he goes through the process of finding a permanent home.

Even though Fields hasn't officially put him up for adoption yet, the group has already gotten more than 100 people who want St. Vincent.

"He's a sought after big guy and we're going to find the perfect home for him," said Fields. "He's going to live out his senior years comfortably."

Craig Fields, founder of New York Bully Crew. (Nicholas Rizzi/Patch)

The dog was found in the park at about 8:20 p.m. on Dec. 19 by a passer-by who notice the black garbage bag moving and heard the animal inside struggling to breathe. The person called police who cut the bag open and found St. Vincent inside.

(Courtesy of New York Bully Crew)

St. Vincent was covered in his own urine, unable to move his legs and vets said he likely would've died that night if not found.

An officer who adopted a dog from the Bully Crew responded to the call and notified the rescue group, which took St. Vincent to VERG-South in Flatbush, and then to its Gowanus facility.

Despite being abused by his previous owners, Levitzke said the dog showed no signs of aggression towards vets.

"He's been nothing but kind," said Levitzke. "Unfortunately we had to do a lot for him in those early days and he's just a gentle giant."

The Bully Crew raised more than $7,300 last week to offer as a reward to find who tossed St. Vincent out and Fields is hopeful police will make an arrest soon.

Lead images: Nicholas Rizzi/Patch