SOUTH ABINGTON TOWNSHIP -- A dog at the center of an animal abuse case in Lackawanna County is making a rebound that even her veterinarians are surprised by, while humane officers are still offering a reward to find her former owner.
The story of Chelsea, the boxer mix, captivated many and got thousands of shares on social media.
The emaciated pup found in Throop in August has recovered well, but humane officers still hope to find whoever left her on the side of the road.
Chelsea has a new name, a new owner, and a new lease on life. Phoebe, as she's called now, came back for a visit to the place that started to turn things around.
We first met Phoebe back in August being cared for at a veterinary hospital near Clarks Summit. She weighed 12 pounds and was near death.
She had been found on a roadside in Throop. Police took her to Griffin Pond Animal Shelter.
Her new owner brought her back for a visit looking much different now.
"We came together because I saw the poster, the abuse poster, and a few weeks earlier I lost my 12-year-old dog to cancer and I knew this dog needed special care," the new owner said.
"Oh, my God! It just makes it worth it. It's such a good feeling; it's indescribable," said humane officer Sandy Scala, when asked about seeing the dog now recovered.
Phoebe has more than doubled her weight. She still sees vets at the Justus Veterinary Clinic regularly but they say she should make a full recovery.
Scala is still offering a $5,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of Phoebe's former owner.
"Somebody out there knows something. The reward is still out there. We've tracked down different leads that we've gotten and everything is a dead end. So we really need the public's help in this."
Criminal charges would depend on the evidence investigators find. At worst, whoever left Phoebe would face misdemeanor charges.
"To dump them? That's cruelty," Phoebe's owner said. "Whoever's out there, she's doing well, and I hope you never have another animal in your life."
Investigators say they believe Phoebe's former owner was driving a black Mitsubishi Gallant. Anyone with information is asked to call Griffin Pond Animal Shelter.