Police Officer Accused Of Dumping Emaciated Dog In Trash Bag At Park
By: Mike Dougherty and Alexandria Hoff
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) --A Philadelphia police officer has been arrested in connection to a dog that was found dumped in a trash bag at Wissahickon Valley Park last November.
The Pennsylvania SPCA said in a statement that Michael Long has been charged with two counts of animal cruelty, one count for possession of an instrument of a crime and one summary charge of animal cruelty. Long, an 11-year veteran of the force, was arrested Thursday.
Authorities say veteran officer Michael Long put a young pitbull into a sheet and trash bag then dumped the pup in a waste bin at Wissahickon Valley Park around Thanksgiving.
"The dog had been micro-chipped, which led us to Mr. Long," said Nicole Wilson, Pennsylvania SPCA Director of Humane Law Enforcement. "We found what we believe is the matching sheet in Mr. Long's possession."
Emaciated Dog Dumped In Trash Bag At Philly Park Recovering At Shelter
The dog named Cranberry was found by a good Samaritan on a hike with her family dog the Tuesday prior to Thanksgiving. The person found the dog inside a garbage bag at the park and called the PSPCA's Humane Law Enforcement team.
The officers went to the scene to rescue Cranberry and bring it back to the shelter to receive medical care.
Cranberry, who was found in an emaciated condition, made a full recovery and found a forever home in December.
She has returned to a healthy weight and is now safe in the arms of a family who treats her like the trusting treasure she is.
"She is currently living in a home in Malvern soaking up life as a couch potato very happy and most of her updated pictures come back exhausted by how happy she is" said Wilson.
"This arrest today is the culmination of an investigation conducted by our officers and the Philadelphia Police Internal Affairs Unit," said Wilson. "We look forward to the opportunity to see justice through the courts in this matter."
The department has suspended Long for 30 days with the intent to dismiss.
