One dog found after two taken from Taunton shelter

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The Enterprise

By Terence J. Downing

TAUNTON — One of the two pit bulls stolen from the Taunton Animal Shelter has been found.

Gerry, the dog in need of medication and surgery, was found wandering on an East Taunton baseball field Monday afternoon.

The people who found the dog are friends of Animal Control Officer Manuel Massa and took the dog to the shelter.

“They thought the dog had been hit by a car because it was limping and could barely walk. But that's Gerry,” said shelter volunteer Jody Lipkind.

She said the dog was severely dehydrated, nauseated and lost about 15 percent of its body weight since being stolen Thursday night.

“He's in tough shape, but we think he's going to make it. I don't think he was fed since he was stolen. Whoever did it just dumped him,” Lipkind said.

Shelter staff immediately treated the dog with fluids and other measures. The dog also began eating.

“He's very tired and weak, but we think he will be OK,” Lipkind said.

“When we saw the people pull up, we were just thrilled,” Lipkind said. “I said 'Oh my God, Gerry's back.”

She said the other dogs in the shelter that had become friends with Gerry also got excited at his return.

Someone broke into the shelter and stole the two dogs last week. The break-in was discovered Friday morning when staff arrived.

She said the break-in occurred sometime between 6 p.m. Thursday and 8 a.m. Friday.

There were no witnesses because of the shelter's remote location on West Water Street near the city's wastewater treatment plant in Weir Village.

The thieves gained entry by cutting the lock on the back gate. They then used a shovel to pry open the runs where the dogs were.

Members of the staff were especially worried about Gerry, a 1 1/2-year-old, 60-pound pit bull with special needs.

The dog needs medication for medical conditions that include hip and knee problems.

Gerry was born with birth defects in both rear knees and has trouble walking.

Gerry will require about $3,000 in surgeries for the knees and hip. Lipkind said the Pit Bull Rescue group had offered to assist in paying for the surgeries for anyone who adopted the dog.

The dog had been abandoned outside the shelter by people who didn't want to take care of him once they discovered he was born with problems.

Still missing is Phoenix, a 2-year-old, 45-pound, white pit bull with black spots.

Phoenix had been at the shelter for about 7 months, Lipkind said.

Investigators have some ideas who may have stolen the dogs and they are working closely with police.

“This was a pre-meditated thing. Whoever did this knew exactly what dogs they were looking for,” she said.

Last year, a stolen beagle was returned in two weeks.