Emaciated, bound dog rescued from rooftop; woman denies abandoning 'Melo'
The New York State Humane Association exclusively told News 12 that it's offering a $1,000 reward for information that leads to the arrest and conviction of the person(s) responsible for abusing and abandoning the dog at 501 East 162nd St.
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An emaciated bulldog-type dog was found on the roof of a Morrisania building, according to the New York State Humane Association.
“He was abused,” said Cheryl, a woman claiming to know and care for the dog. “His name is Melo.”
The dog was discovered tied to an exhaust vent with its front paws covered in socks and tightly bound with elastic hair bands.
The New York State Humane Association exclusively told News 12 that it's offering a $1,000 reward for information that leads to the arrest and conviction of the person(s) responsible for abusing and abandoning the dog at 501 East 162nd St.
Officials say the dog, given a new lease on life by the ASPCA, was young and weighed just 38 pounds when he was rescued in March.
The binding created deep, bone-exposing wounds on the dog's paws, which became extremely infected, the NYSHA says.
Cheryl told News 12 her daughter “rescued” Melo from a woman who was allegedly abusing the pup at a separate, non-disclosed location in the Bronx. The mother-daughter duo went on to take care of Melo for the next three days, according to Cheryl, but they never let him stay in their apartment— he had to stay in the hallway.
When Melo was found tied to an exhaust vent on the roof, Cheryl claims she and her daughter left for church and waved goodbye to the pup on their way out.
They intended to come home and take him to a vet next door to their home, according to Cheryl, but when they came home, Melo was gone.
“We was looking for the dog,” she said. “We never knew where that dog was at.”
Cheryl doesn't know who left Melo stranded on the roof that day but insists it was neither her nor her daughter.
“Somebody else put that dog on that roof because we didn't do it.”
Anyone with information is urged to contact the Bronx District Attorney's Civilian Complaint Unit at 718 838-2300.
Calls are kept confidential.
