Dog Found in Plastic Bag on 90-Degree Day, $5K Reward Offered by PETA

Woodhaven, MI — The story of how an abandoned dog got the handle of “Gladys” is as horrible as her flea-infested, matted coat looked when a volunteer discovered her Sunday, tossed aside like yesterday’s garbage outside the Woodhaven and Trenton Animal Shelter door.

The 2-year-old Yorkshire terrier-Shih Tzu mix had been caged in a locked travel carrier sealed inside a thick, heavy, Glad-brand black plastic bag.

It was 90 degrees outside, and the terrified dog was not only suffering from flea bites, she also had an injured, possibly broken hind leg.

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“She’s timid and she shows characteristics of a dog that has been abused, but I can’t say that for sure,” Animal Control Officer Lora Schaller told The News-Herald. “She’s been neglected for sure.”

Gladys is expected to recover, and the Last Day Dog Rescue said in a Facebook post that it will provide foster care until the dog is well enough for adoption.

In the meantime, the Woodhaven Police Department is investigating, but has yet to make any arrests.

The police department released photos that appear to show a woman dumping the dog and driving away in what is believed to be a white 2010–2013 Lexus RX SUV.

Anyone with information about this case is encouraged to call the Woodhaven Police Department at (734) 675-4909.

'Dangerous Lack of Empathy'

The dog’s haunting story has generated an avalanche of tips, which detectives are combing through. Woodhaven Police Chief Vincent Price told The News-Herald more than 100 leads are being investigated, and fingerprints have been taken from the plastic bag and carrier.

It’s possible the woman found the dog and dropped her off at the shelter, Schaller said.

The animal-welfare group PETA is offering a cash reward of up to $5,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible in the incident.

“It takes a dangerous lack of empathy for someone to lock a dog in a cage wrapped in plastic and leave her to suffer from heatstroke or endure a slow, agonizing death by suffocation,” PETA Vice President Colleen O’Brien said in a statement. “PETA urges anyone with information about this case to come forward immediately, before anyone else gets hurt.”

Images: Woodhaven Police Department