Press Release: Neglected German Shepherd

OXFORD – First Selectman George R. Temple said the town has set up a fund to help defray medical costs for a German shepherd that was found starving, had frostbitten ears and heart worm.

  On Jan. 23, state police responded to a complaint at 288 Governors Hill Road that a German shepherd dog was being neglected. The complaint said the dog was tied up outside and left out in extremely cold weather and they could hear the dog dropping his food bowl on the ground over and over. State police said the dog was very thin and tied with a five-foot leash and there was no food or water within sight.

  Based on the condition of the dog they took possession of him and transported him to Beacon Falls Animal Hospital where the vet found it to be a “blatant starvation/neglect case.’’ The vet said the dog was at least 25 to 30 pounds underweight. The dog’s owner turned the dog over to the town and owner Jonathon Foster, 26 was charged with cruelty to animals, tethering and confining a dog for an unreasonable period of time, failure to license and failure to vaccinate. Foster is expected to appear in Superior Court in Derby on March 1.

    The dog is a black 9-year—old German shepherd named Max and Temple said he will need heart worm treatments. At this time he is not up for adoption but will be once he is well.

    If anyone would like to donate to help the dog, they can send donations to the Oxford Animal Shelter (medical bills for Max) The donations should be sent to the First Selectman Oxford Town Hall, 486 Oxford Road, and Oxford Ct. 06478.