Philadelphia Police Officer charged with abusing, abandoning dog

PHILADELPHIA (WTXF) - Philadelphia Police have arrested one of their own, months after authorities say he abused a dog and left it for dead in Wissahickon Valley Park.

33-year-old Michael Long has been charged with two misdemeanors for animal cruelty, one misdemeanor for possession of an instrument of a crime, and one summary charge of animal cruelty, according to the PSPCA

A month after a woman walking her dog noticed Cranberry's head sticking out of a bag, Jimmy Huntley adopted her. He's out of town on business but Facetimed with Fox 29 to talk about Cranberry's case.

"It's one thing to be corrupt and dishonest. It's another thing to meticulously plan out starving a dog and who knows what kind of conditions she lived in," Jimmy said.

"She loves humans. She loves all dogs and that's another reason why we're so confused by what happened to her because she shows no harm whatsoever in her day to day actions," he said.

The Pennsylvania SPCA and Philadelphia Police Internal Affairs worked together on the investigation. A scan of Cranberry's microchip led them to Long, an 11-year veteran of the department assigned to the 18th District in West Philly. He adopted her in August after finding her while working his beat.

The PSPCA says Long had not only dumped the dog in the park, but he had stuffed her into a garbage bag and tied it up.

The PSPCA cared for the dog and nursed it back to health. The dog was named Cranberry in light of the Thanksgiving season at the time she was found.

"This arrest is the culmination of some very good police work completed by my department and the Philadelphia Police Department's Internal Affairs unit. We are grateful that we are able to bring forward the individual we believe perpetrated this act of cruelty. We're anxious for justice to be served through our court system," said PSPCA HLE Director Nicole Wilson.

Jimmy is glad he can now put what happened to Cranberry behind them. He says she's back to her normal weight, very affectionate and has become a couch potato since she's been in a safe place for the past three months.

"She sleeps from 8 o'clock at night until 7 o'clock in the morning and only a dog that knows she has a forever home can sleep that long and that soundly," said Jimmy.

Philadelphia Commissioner Ross says Long is suspended for 30 days with the intent to dismiss.

The PSPCA has set up a donation page to help dogs like Cranberry: https://pspca.org/cranberry/