Reward offered after dog found with collar attached to tree

SOUTH WINDSOR, Conn. (WFSB/Gray News) - A dog was found with its collar attached to a tree and now there is a reward for information that leads to an arrest and prosecution of the person who abandoned the dog.

The dog, believed to be 2 to 5 years old, was found Tuesday morning after authorities received a report of a barking dog. Authorities say a good Samaritan found the dog while walking their dog in Connecticut.

“Officers investigated, but cameras on the local residences do not cover the area where this dog was left,” the Tyler Regional Animal Shelter said. “We are asking for the public’s assistance for any information.”

The dog’s collar had the name “Kobe” written on it, according to authorities.

“Maybe your neighbor had a dog matching this description that is no longer there, or you heard someone talking about leaving this sweet boy,” the shelter said.

Neighbor Amanda Breton said when she let her dogs out that morning, they kept looking in the direction of where the dog was found in Niederwerfer Sanctuary.

“I grew up two houses down on the opposite side. Nothing like this has ever happened around here and it’s saddening to see this,” said neighbor Jeremy Breton.

The animal advocacy group Desmond’s Army, an animal advocacy group, is offering a $5,000 reward for information that leads to an arrest and prosecution of whoever abandoned the dog.

“It is a crime to abandon an animal in the state of Connecticut. It is an animal cruelty charge,” said Zilla Cannamella of Desmond’s Army.

Animal control officers said the whites of Kobe’s eyes were bloodshot and he wasn’t able to lay down because of the way he was tied, which choked him.

“He had a collar around his neck that was then tied around a 4-inch-diameter tree. It looks like it was caught around his neck and then snapped behind his neck so it shows it was in malicious reasoning,” South Windsor Animal Control Community Service Officer Kaley Curtis said.

Cruelty, neglect and abandonment are just some of the charges the person responsible could face.

Kobe is on a 10-day hold to see if they can find his owner. If no one comes forward, he will be available for adoption.

Anyone with information or interested in adopting Kobe asked to contact the South Windsor Police Department at 860-648-6239.

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