Crime & Safety

Police Believe Dog Found Dead in Garbage Bag Was Struck by Car

Incident believed to be accidental in nature, police say.

Click here for our original report where we talked to the man who said he discovered the body

Stratford police believe the dog found dead in a garbage bag Tuesday morning was accidentally struck by a car.

Capt. John Popik tells Stratford Patch that the female husky suffered a bloody nose but no other external injuries, which is indicative of internal injuries "consistent with a car strike."

"At this point, it doesn't appear to be a criminal act," said Popik, adding that there were no signs of intentional mistreatment on the animal.

He said, "Right now there's not an active criminal investigation" but one could form as police gather more information, such as why exactly the dog was placed in a garbage bag.

What's also unclear is where the dog was reportedly struck – on the access road (off West Broad Street) where it was found or on the nearby southbound lane of I-95.

In the meantime, the department is working to find an owner.

"Anytime an animal is picked up deceased we keep it seven days in an attempt to find the other," Popik said.

The police captain, who speaks for Stratford Animal Control on matters such as this, further described the female husky as an adult dog at least a year old but not elderly, with a mixed coat.

The dog didn't have any tags or a collar, he said.

The man who said he discovered the body described the dog as “younger” and “small- to medium-sized” with colors of black, brown and gray.

Anyone with information regarding the incident, should call Stratford Animal Control at 203.385.4068, Popik said.


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