Tips Sought:​ 'Severely Emaciated' Dog Abandoned ​In San Diego

SAN DIEGO COUNTY, CA — San Diego Humane Society is seeking the public's help in finding the person who abandoned a severely malnourished dog last week in Pacific Beach.

The 3-year-old shepherd mix was abandoned on or around Dec. 7 near Campland on the Bay in Pacific Beach, according to the San Diego County Humane Society. A good Samaritan found the "severely emaciated" dog Dec. 8 by the Kendall-Frost Mission Bay Marsh Reserve near Pacific Beach Drive and Olney Street.

The good Samaritan immediately sought veterinary care for the dog, but it was euthanized because of failing organs, according to the humane society. Veterinarians determined the dog was in such a deteriorated state that he could not have made it by himself to the location he was found — meaning he was abandoned there.

"This is absolutely heartbreaking and completely unnecessary," said Humane Law Enforcement Chief Bill Ganley.

"The necropsy revealed socks, a washcloth and a stuffed animal inside this dog's stomach. San Diego Humane Society is here to help, and to learn this poor dog was left to die in this state just a few miles from our doorstep is unfathomable."

Anyone who needs help caring for their animal can contact the San Diego Humane Society. The nonprofit organization is an open-admission shelter, meaning it will never turn away an animal in need.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Crime Stoppers at 888-580-8477 or the San Diego Humane Law Enforcement unit at 619-299-7012 (then press 1). Tipsters can remain anonymous and could be eligible for a reward up to $1,000.