SPCA: Dog Found In West Islip Gas Station Dumpster

WEST ISLIP, N.Y. (CBSNewYork) -- The Suffolk County SPCA is investigating after a small dog was found in a gas station dumpster overnight in West Islip.

Police called the SPCA after a report that a dog was in a dumpster at the USA gas station on Montauk Highway.

The female dog, which appears to be a Lhasa apso, had been found in the trash by a local person and was wearing a worn-out pink leash and a fairly new pink collar, the SPCA said.

The dog was taken to the Veterinary Medical Center of Long Island, to be examined and is now being housed at the Islip Animal Shelter,  SPCA Chief Roy Gross said.

Though "severely matted" and appearing to have been "very much neglected," Gross said the dog was friendly with her rescuers.  According to the vet's report, the dog appears to be in good health.

The SPCA chief said they do have a person of interest related to the case, WCBS 880 reported.  "It appeared a black SUV pulled up by the dumpster, opened up its rear hatch and took a large plastic garbage bag out of the back of the vehicle and threw it into the dumpster," Gross said.

The SPCA is offering a $2,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible in the case.

Anyone with information can contact the Suffolk County SPCA at 631-382-7722. All calls will be kept confidential.

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