Dog Left Outside Shelter In Tied-Up Bag, Sealed Container

CORTLANDT MANOR, NY — The discovery of a Chihuahua found in a tied-up garbage bag has led to an investigation by the SPCA of Westchester.

Around 2:30 p.m. Thursday, employees of Paws Crossed Animal Rescue in Elmsford saw a blue plastic storage container at their front entrance.

When they opened the secured container, they found a small, brown female Chihuahua inside.

SPCA officials said the dog, now named Rue, had chewed and scratched her way through the tied-up garbage bag.

Rue broke some of her nails in the process, but avoided suffocation, officials said.

Video surveillance captured someone leaving the container around 9:30 p.m. April 28.

Authorities said Rue somehow survived in the container for nearly 17 hours before she was discovered.

The SPCA's Humane Law Enforcement was called and they took her to the SPCA's temporary animal care campus in Cortlandt Manor where she received veterinary care.

The Chihuahua will soon be available for adoption from the SPCA.

Shannon Laukhuf, executive director of the SPCA of Westchester, said it was inconceivable that someone could do something so cruel to an innocent animal.

"We can't imagine how frightened Rue must have been," she said. "We are so grateful that she was found before it was too late and that she is now getting the love and care she needs at the SPCA of Westchester."

Laukhuf said her organization wants to find the person responsible for this intentional act of cruelty and is asking the public to call the confidential hotline at 914-941-7797 with any leads or tips.