Dog chained outside with no food or water gnawed off own leg, police say; owner charged

New York State Police said Tuesday that the dog's owner, 59-year-old Carl K. Pritchard of Exeter, is facing charges of overdriving, torturing and injuring animals, as well as failing to provide proper sustenance and appropriate shelter.

On Nov. 14, a UPS driver spotted the dog and called police, saying its "leg had been blown off," The Associated Press reported.

"She was found with no food and water, living outside in a plastic crate with hay inside," said police, calling the dog Zoe in a Facebook post.

>> See the post here

The Susquehanna SPCA, which is caring for the approximately 9-year-old dog, rushed her to a clinic, the AP reported. A veterinarian told the news outlet that Zoe's "leg was probably injured, and she was trying to take care of it herself." She also "is anemic, has a heart murmur and very likely has cancer," the SPCA said.

In a Wednesday Facebook post, the group said Zoe was recovering from surgery at the Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine Animal Hospital.

"The surgeons say they believe they were able to fully remove the mass and successfully amputate her leg," read the post, adding that the dog "is doing well."

>> See the update here

If you'd like to donate to the Susquehanna SPCA, click here.

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– The Associated Press contributed to this report.