SPCA: Dead Dog Found In Cooler Floating In Long Island Sound

SMITHTOWN, N.Y. (CBSNewYork) -- The Suffolk County SPCA is looking into the death of a dog found floating in a cooler in Long Island Sound.

The cooler was found around 6:10 p.m. off Sunken Meadow State Park by a patrolling Smithtown Bay Constable boat.

"They extracted the bag onto the boat, got a very severe smell coming from the bag, they opened it and determined there was a body of a dog in there," SPCA Chief Roy Gross told 1010 WINS.

There was no visible trauma or scarring on the 40-pound, brown female pit bull, officials said.

"We don't know if the dog was put in there alive, or if it was dead, we don't know if the dog was killed or died of natural causes," Gross said. "Even if the dog did die of natural causes, to dump it out into the sea like that is another matter. It could be an environmental issue. Just think, if this would've floated up on a beach and some kids would've discovered this how traumatic of an experience that in itself would be."

A blue nylon leash was recovered from the cooler but there was no collar or tags, officials said.

The dog was about 2- to 3-years-old.

Anyone with information is asked to call the SPCA at 631-382-7722.