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Humane Officials Investigate After Dog Is Found Frozen In Spring Hill

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) -- Humane officials are investigating after a small dog was found frozen to death in a box in the Spring Hill section of Pittsburgh's North Side.

According to the Western Pennsylvania Humane Society, Pittsburgh Police found the Shih-Tzu's body in a crate covered with a blanket in a parking lot on the corner of Diana and Itin Streets.

"This was an especially heartbreaking one because every day we face tragedy with animals, but for some reason, this one, his little body is just perfectly intact and he's such a cute little dog," said Kristen Lane of the Western Pennsylvania Humane Society.

The dog - about 1-year-old - was not microchipped, but officials say it was wearing a blue collar with the imprint "I (heart) Long Walks."

Officials at the Humane Society say results from the necropsy performed Friday found no indication of trauma or disease, so it's probable the dog died from exposure.

"If there was foul play for any reason, we don't know that yet, we do want this person to be punished," said Lane. "I mean this is not acceptable behavior, it was a living thing."

Authorities are asking anyone with information on the dog, its owner, or how it ended up outside in the box to contact the Humane Society's Humane Investigations Department at 412-321-4625 ext 216.

Calls will be kept confidential.

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