Police: Dog abandoned with its collar tied to a tree in South Windsor wildlife sanctuary

SOUTH WINDSOR — Police are looking for information about a dog found collared to a tree that may have been abandoned by its owner.

Police said that on Monday at approximately 11 a.m., officers responded to reports of barking in the Frank Niederwerfer Wildlife Sanctuary off Niederwerfer Road, eventually finding a black-and-white dog attached by its collar to a tree roughly four inches in diameter.

Community Service Officer Kaley Curtis said that police are still investigating the situation, but it appears that the dog was left there intentionally.

"The way that the dog was attached to the tree, somebody had to do that," Curtis said. "It doesn't seem like there was a way he could have gotten stuck."

Police said no local residences had cameras covering the area where the dog was left, and the only identifying information was the name "Kobe" written onto the collar.

Curtis said the dog is an intact male, estimated at around 2 years old, and seems to be a pit bull mix with no immediate health concerns. She said the dog is slowly coming out of its shell, and "loves attention from anyone willing to give it."

"He is a very, very, very sweet dog, so we're trying to figure out what the reasoning is for somebody to leave him like that," Curtis said. "Somebody has to know a neighbor or friend who has a dog like this or has this name that's no longer around."

Curtis said many people have reached out to ask about adoption, though it is not yet available. She said the dog would be made eligible if not claimed after being held for 10 days.

Anyone with information on the dog or the incident is asked to call 860-648-6239.

Curtis said police have received many tips about the situation so far and are actively working on vetting each one. 

Sgt. Mark Cleverdon said animal law advocacy group Desmond's Army will offer a $5,000 reward for information leading to the arrest or prosecution of the person responsible for abandoning the dog.

Curtis said Connecticut has experienced a crisis of abandoned dogs, and shelters across the state are overflowing.

"People need to understand that there are other options available versus just tying a dog somewhere, people are willing to help you," Curtis said.