By ‘Chance': CNY Troopers Rescue Emaciated Dog, Arrest Owner

While investigating an unrelated incident at home in a Central New York town, state troopers rescued a chocolate lab that they believe had likely been locked up for months.

NYSP officials say they were at a residence in West Monroe after a request for assistance from Oswego County Probation Officers. While at the home on Potter Road, troopers checked inside a rear building that was separate from the house, officials said. Inside, they found a six or seven-year-old chocolate lab in a room filled with feces and urine. And, as you can see from the included photos, the dog named 'Chance' was severely emaciated and hadn't been given food or water for quite some time, troopers said.

Officers charged Bryon D. Phillips with felony level Aggravated Cruelty to Animals following the February 10 discovery, police said. And, while Phillips was issued an appearance ticket and released, 'Chance' was not.

Authorities immediately seized the dog and brought him to Highland Animal Hospital in Central Square for treatment of several medical issues. It's estimated the dog was approximately 30-pounds underweight.

The good news, though, is that officials say with the care from veterinary doctors along with from New Day Animal Rescue, they believe Chance will make a full recovery and be 'adopted into a forever home', police said.

Phillips is scheduled to appear in court on March 1.

Meanwhile, many Central New Yorkers may recall a case earlier this month involving animal abandonment in Herkimer County - a dog named Miracle, was dropped off after hours at the humane society and would later be hit by a car, officials said. The former owner of Miracle appeared in town court on Tuesday to face animal abandonment charges and pleaded not guilty.

West Monroe is locate approximately 21 miles northeast of Syracuse.

[AUTHOR'S NOTE: This post is for informational purposes. The information provided within was provided publicly by law enforcement. Any charges or accusations of wrongdoing mentioned in the article are only allegations and the reader is reminded that all persons are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.]