Malnourished Dog Found Abandoned in Shirley; Authorities Ask Public for Help

By Samantha Vogel | Long Island Daily News
September 15, 2026

SHIRLEY, NY — A dog found abandoned and malnourished in Shirley has prompted an investigation, and Suffolk County authorities are now turning to the public for help finding the person responsible.

The female mixed-breed dog was discovered near Dawn Drive in Shirley on Aug. 24, according to Suffolk County Police. She was found in poor condition and required medical attention.

The circumstances surrounding how the dog came to be abandoned remain under investigation. Authorities are asking anyone who recognizes the animal or knows something about what happened to come forward.

The investigation involves Suffolk County Crime Stoppers and the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Biological, Environmental and Animal Safety Team (BEAST).

A cash reward is being offered for information resulting in an arrest, and tips can be made anonymously through Suffolk County Crime Stoppers at 1-800-220-TIPS or through the P3 Tips system.

The case is identified as Crime Stoppers case CW 26-184.

For an animal unable to tell investigators what happened, information from the community could be especially important. Someone may recognize the dog, remember seeing something unusual in the area, or have surveillance or doorbell-camera footage from around the time she was found.

Residents should provide any information they have directly to authorities and avoid publicly accusing or confronting anyone they believe may have been involved.

The case also serves as another reminder that abandoning an animal can leave it vulnerable to hunger, injury, traffic, extreme weather and other dangers. People who can no longer care for a pet should seek assistance from shelters, rescue organizations or other appropriate resources rather than leaving an animal to fend for itself.

Long Island Daily News will continue to follow the investigation and share updates as additional information becomes available.

🐾 If you have an animal rescue, adoption, foster, lost-and-found or animal-welfare story that deserves attention, Long Island Daily News wants to hear from you.

Until they all have homes — and until every lost pet is reunited with their family — we’ll keep sharing their stories.

Samantha Vogel
Editor, Long Island Daily News

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