The tying of an elderly, sick dog to a tree in Middle Village led to the realization that policing of such matters is lacking. The dog had advanced stage mammary cancer and a gaping chest wound. It was found abandoned, tied to a tree with a blanket. Police said it wasn’t something they handled, so volunteers ended up taking the dog to an animal rescue where she was humanely euthanized due to her condition. Council Members Ariola and Holden demanded a change to the way police handle animal cruelty cases and an investigation into who left the dog abandoned and in poor health.