Philadelphia officer arrested over dog found in trash bag

A Philadelphia police officer has been arrested on animal cruelty charges over a dog that was found dumped in a trash bag at a park last fall.

Pennsylvania’s Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals said Officer Michael Long, an 11-year veteran of the police department, was arrested Thursday on animal cruelty and related misdemeanor charges over the November incident.

A passerby came upon the trash bag in the Wissahickon Valley Park on Nov. 23 and noticed a dog’s head visible inside. PSPCA said its officers took the emaciated pit bull mix to a shelter for medical care.

The 3-year-old dog, now named Cranberry, has made a full recovery and has been adopted.

  • WHYY thanks our sponsors — become a WHYY sponsor

The department said 33-year-old Long has been suspended for 30 days, with the intent to dismiss.

WHYY is your source for fact-based, in-depth journalism and information. As a nonprofit organization, we rely on financial support from readers like you. Please give today.

Want a digest of WHYY’s programs, events & stories? Sign up for our weekly newsletter.

Together we can reach 100% of WHYY’s fiscal year goal