Four New York residents face felony aggravated animal cruelty charges after a dog reportedly starved to death at their home, 13WHAM reports. All four were charged with in accordance with the Preventing Animal Cruelty and Torture Act (PACT).
On Nov. 24, deputies and Humane Society investigators arrived on the scene to find a Dogo Argentino dead on the property. They discovered the three-year-old male, named Covid, covered by a blanket.
Law enforcement officials also seized five other dogs from the residence. As of now, they are all undergoing evaluation by an area veterinarian.
Necropsy performed on dog starved to death
Authorities transported Covid’s body to the Cornell Animal Health Diagnostic Center for official examination. As suspected, the necropsy results revealed the exact cause of his death was starvation.
The University of Wisconsin’s School of Veterinary Medicine states that animals left to starve often experience life-threatening organ failure. The Humane Society urges anyone who suspects or witnesses animal cruelty to report to a local animal control agency. Additionally, one can call 911 or contact the Humane Society’s rescue team through their website.
