Severely Burned Dog Rescued After Being Found Abandoned; Search Underway For Owners

A dog covered in severe burns and believed to be abandoned by her owners was now on the road to recovery in Massachusetts, authorities said.

Investigators are hoping to track down the owners of the 1-year-old canine, who is currently being taken care of at the Animal Rescue League (ARL) of Boston.

The mixed-breed dog named Annie was found along Route 1 in the area of Ellis Avenue in Norwood. She was taken to the Norwood Police Station after being found with severe burns on her head, neck, shoulders, front legs and stomach, according to NBC10 Boston.

"My first interaction with Annie was, it was truly heartbreaking," Mike DeFina, communications officer for ARL, told 7NEWS. "To see her in that condition and to see that she sorely needed help, she desperately needed help."

Although Annie was found wearing a collar and a leash, rescuers did not find tags or a microchip that could help trace her owners.

Investigators also believe her burns were caused by some kind of hot liquid.

"Her fur was very clean, which was interesting," said Lt. Alan Borgal, of the ARL, according to WCVB Channel 5 Boston. "That's typical what we see with some of a hot liquid type of a burn, and based on my training experience I believe it was some sort of hot water."

Investigators are treating the incident as a case of animal cruelty and abandonment.

"It's not just the burns but the abandonment," Borgal added. "This is a very cruel abandonment."

ARL and the Norwood Police Department have so far not seen any results in their efforts to find Annie's owner.

"Dogs are usually returned within 24 hours," Borgal said, according to 7NEWS. "Nobody has called for this dog, so it's kind of a mystery."

The dog received treatment at the Tufts Veterinary Emergency Services, and continued to make progress at the animal shelter.

"Eventually, the hope is that we will find her a new home where she will be loved and cared for," DeFina told the outlet.

ARL urged people to make life-saving donations to help them provide veterinary care and rehabilitation to abused animals like Annie.

They also asked the public to come forward with any information that could help with finding Annie's abuser.

"Anyone with information pertaining to this ongoing investigation is urged to contact ARL Law Enforcement at (617) 426-9170 ext. 110 or cruelty@arlboston.org; or Norwood Police at (781)-440-5100," ARL wrote on Facebook.