No charges yet in case of abused pug

WINCHESTER — No charges have been filed and an abused dog that was taken from a local residence Thursday remains in limbo at least until a court hearing next week.

Deputy E.E. Brogan of the city Sheriff’s Office said charges have not been filed against the tenant — named in a search warrant as 33-year-old Melissa Springer — who allegedly left the male pug, covered in feces, in a wire cage at her city apartment.

A seizure hearing, however, has been set for 8:30 a.m. Wednesday in Winchester General District Court.

Depending on the outcome of that hearing, the dog could be offered for adoption at a local animal shelter.

According to the search warrant, filed Thursday in Winchester Circuit Court, the property owner at 3 W. Monmouth St. inspected Apartment 4 to check on an odor of feces and urine.

She found the dog and reported it, according to the warrant.

Numerous photos and a red retractable dog leash were also removed from the residence, where the electricity had been shut off since Nov. 16.

Brogan said it is unclear if Springer was living at the residence at the time or had abandoned the dog.

The case remains under investigation.

— Contact Melissa Boughton atmboughton@winchesterstar.com