Photo by David Torres.
The dog that died suddenly in Central Park while on a walk with its owner had an enlarged heart, a medical examiner for the ASPCA determined.
The dog’s sudden death Tuesday night was particularly alarming because the dog had unexplained head injuries. But police now think the animal died from “natural causes,” according to the Times.
A necropsy conducted on Wednesday afternoon by the chief medical examiner of the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals confirmed the dog had not been shot, but, rather, suffered from an enlarged heart, a finding that surprised Mr. Burke.
“It looks like it may be natural causes,” said a police official, speaking on the condition of anonymity as the investigation was continuing. Officials said the puncture wounds to the dog’s head appeared superficial and did not penetrate its skull.
The dog’s name was Duke and he was rescued in 2011 by David Burke and his daughter. The Times story is very much worth reading (with a tissue, if you’re a dog-lover).
Oh no! What will all the angry commenters on the earlier post do with their anger?
Hopefully direct it at anonymous assess like you.
Settle down, Craig. (Also, assess and asses are very different words.)
They will undoubtedly direct it at people with strollers.
With good reason!
For Mr. Burke, it was the second tragedy in just a few days: On Saturday, his wife, Eileen, died at home from pancreatic cancer after being sick for three years. It was Eileen, he said, who had taken a particular liking to Duke at the pound.
“She fell in love with him at first sight,” Mr. Burke said.
SRC; GOTHAMIST
How terribly sad for this poor man. My condolences to him and to his family on the losses he suffered.
My heart goes out to the family. Two tragedies so close together.
What caused the cuts/injury to the head? An enlarged heart does not leave the lacerations reported.
What caused the injuries to the head? Maybe it was attacked and frightened to the point of heart failure?
IIRC the dog collapsed than rolled down a slope. His head may have been injured in the fall and roll. Regardless, a very sad time for Mr Burke. My heart goes out to him.
How can we send Mr. Burke our condolences…
this is such a sad time for him.
Thank you.
Losing his wife and then his dog within days. My heart hurts for him. I’m glad it wasn’t something nefarious but what terrible timing. My condolences to him and his family.
Yes, my heart aches for them. My deepest sympathies to him and his family.