The Schenectady Police Department is investigating after a dog was found dead with what appears to be a gunshot wound to the head.
Two Amtrak employees found the lifeless dog around 9 a.m. Friday morning during a routine track inspection. The animal was found near the railroad tracks under the Oak Street Bridge.
While the autopsy will determine an exact cause of death, investigators said it appears the dog was shot in the head and left to die. “From what the Animal Control Officer can tell, it was there for about 3 days,” said Sergeant Jeffrey McCutcheon.
He said this case will be handled just as any other death investigation would. “Detectives and evidence technicians were called to the scene and that scene was processed. The animal is being sent to Cornell University and we’re waiting for the results of the for necropsy at this time,” said Sgt. McCutcheon.
Police said the dog is believed to be only three or four years old. It was wearing a collar with white spikes and no tags.
News10 asked whether this could have been accidental, but Sgt. McCutcheon said the area is not known for hunting, it’s in the middle of the city, and so far no one has reported a missing dog matching the description. “We don’t have a gray pit bull that has been registered with the city in that same age group,” said Sgt. McCutcheon.
Police said if and when they find the person behind this crime, they will be looking at felony animal cruelty and weapons charges.