Dog Found Stuffed In Garbage Bag With Mouth Taped In Brooklyn

BROOKLYN, NY — A dog was found stuffed in a garbage bag with its mouth taped shut near a Brooklyn highway on Tuesday night, according to the NYPD.

The 10-to-12-year-old shepherd-mix, named Saint Vincent by rescuers, was discovered by a good Samaritan at about 8:30 p.m. in Higland Park, near the Jackie Robinson Parkway and Pennsylvania Avenue, in East New York, after they noticed the black garbage bag moving.

The person then heard the dog struggling to breathe and called police. Officers responded and cut the bag open, finding Saint Vincent inside, according to volunteers at animal rescue organization the New York Bully Crew.

"It was devastating to look at," said Carla Mohan, who volunteers with New York Bully crew and coordinated with the rescue after an officer on scene who adopted from the group contacted the founder. "It’s disgusting. Whoever did this is a savage."

(Warning, video contains graphic language)

(YouTube/New York Bully Crew)

Mohan, of Staten Island, said Saint Vincent was covered in his own urine when he was found. In her four years volunteering for the group, she said, she has never handled a case like this.

"I’ve personally never seen something that we know for sure was done by human hands intentionally to kill a dog," she said. "This is pathetic for someone to do this to an animal."

The New York Bully Crew took the dog to VERG-South in Flatbush for treatment. Vets there found that Saint Vincent couldn't move his legs — likely from a neurological condition — and has hip dysplasia, VERG said. They also think the dog suffers from other spinal issues.

The dog was given pain medication and antibiotics before being transferred to VERG's Gowanus location Wednesday to see a veterinarian neurologist, said Dr. Brett Levitzke, medical director of the group. Levitzke said the injuries Saint Vincent sustained while in the bag have improved, but the dog still has chronic issues to deal with.

"I’m afraid he may not be able to walk again," said Levitzke. "Hence the reason why his owners threw him away like a piece of garbage."

(Image via VERG)

Levitzke said Saint Vincent was scheduled to get an MRI to see if he needs any surgery for his spinal conditions that prevent the use of his hind legs, or if it just needs to be treated by a caretaker. Once he recovers enough from his injuries, he'll be given to New York Bully Crew. Mohan said they have people willing to take the dog, even if he can't walk.

The spinal conditions are common with shepherd breeds once they get older, but Levitzke said they were left untreated by his previous owners for a long time, which made them much worse.

"His conditions didn’t happen over night; this is weeks to months of neglect," said Levitzke. "His quality of life might have been so much different had he been treated."

Mohan said she was pulled away from her son Vincent's birthday party when she got the call about the dog and decided to name the dog after her son. The name means "to conquer."

"We hope that he will personify his name," she said.

Lead image: New York Bully Crew