Michael Coke, 24 and Tatyana Denis, 22, of Canton, were each indicted on one charge of animal cruelty. Coke was additionally indicted for misleading police.
On July 28, they brought the dog to MSPCA-Angell in Jamaica Plain, saying it was found near the Massasoit Community College campus in Canton.
Now named Glitch, the approximately 1-year-old pit bull mix weighed only about 15 pounds when he was brought in by Coke and Denis, about 35 pounds less than a healthy dog at his age. Glitch was also completely hunched over and walked on his shins, a behavior that led veterinarians to believe he had spent most of his life confined to a cage.
Thankfully, Glitch survived and has already been adopted.
The MSPCA publicized the case in August, hoping to gain information on who had mistreated Glitch.
"The MSPCA law enforcement division and the veterinarians at Angell have been excellent partners in this investigation," said District Attorney Michael Morrissey. "We are thankful to them, and to the Canton Police Department, for the work and investigation that led to today's indictments."
The case will be prosecuted in Norfolk Superior Court.
Anyone with additional information about this case is encouraged to call the MSPCA's lead investigator on the matter, Officer Nadya Moreno, at 617-522-6008.
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