Police: Abandoned dog ate plastic to survive, owner will face charges

SPENCER – Police are searching for a woman who allegedly abandoned her dog in an apartment, leaving it without food for as long as 3 weeks before a realtor checking out the property spotted the pet through a window on May 9.

Neighbors on Chestnut Street told police that the tenant had moved out weeks earlier leaving behind a white husky-type dog, Police Chief Michael Befford said, adding that there is evidence the dog was eating plastic during its time alone in the apartment.

“The dog was about 40-pounds underweight,” Befford said, though its heavy coat made the weight loss less evident. Police said conditions inside the apartment were deplorable with feces piled near the door.

A warrant has been issued for the dog owner, a woman who is in her 40s, Befford said, declining to immediately release the woman’s name to allow her to turn herself in. She has spoken with police, Befford said.

She will face one count of animal cruelty, he said.

Meanwhile, the dog, who is named Chunks, was taken by Spencer Animal Control and received treatment at a local animal hospital.

Chunks is in foster care and recovering.