Owner who abandoned dog in Hadley to face charge

Published: 08-31-2023 6:13 PM

HADLEY — A dog wearing a pink collar but no tags, and having been sprayed by a skunk, was found abandoned in the area of Knightly Road on July 1.

Following an extensive investigation by Hadley Police, the dog’s owner has been identified and will be facing a charge of animal cruelty in Eastern Hampshire District Court in Belchertown.

Hadley Police announced the charges this week, though since the person is being summoned for a show-cause hearing, a specific identity can’t be released. Police Chief Michael Mason said, though, that the owner is not a Hadley resident.

The pup, now known as Riot, was placed into foster care after it was found. It was during foster care that a trainer called in to assist with some behavioral issues recognized the dog and identified the previous owner.

That owner initially denied abandoning the dog, telling police the dog had been rehomed with a family in Springfield.

But later the owner admitted that, after picking Riot up from day care, the dog was abandoned in Hadley on June 30.

— Scott Merzbach

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