These animals are being cared for at the Tuscarawas County Humane Society after they were dropped off overnight Wednesday outside of the shelter. Shelter Director Haley Predragovich says both will need some medical treatment before they can be put up for adoption. (Tuscarawas County Humane Society)

New Philadelphia, Ohio - The Tuscarawas County Sheriff’s Office has tracked down the man caught on camera abandoning a golden retriever and a pot-bellied pig in front of a local animal shelter Wednesday night.

Deputies made contact with 45-year-old Eric Briggs at his Strasburg residence Thursday evening after learning he was the registered owner of the vehicle seen in the surveillance footage posted on the Tuscarawas County Humane Society’s Facebook page. He was served with two summonses - one for cruelty to animals and abandoning animals - after he reportedly confessed to abandoning the animals. He’s scheduled to appear in New Philadelphia Municipal Court on March 28th for arraignment.

Shelter Director Haley Predragovich says they are happy with the outcome and hope it serves as a reminder that it is not okay to mistreat animals. 

"I hope it’s definitely a lesson for everybody in the community that abandoning animals and neglecting animals is a crime and definitely deters people from thinking that this is okay," she says. "Definitely, the situation could have been much worse than what it was but I always hope that it is a learning experience for everybody."

Predragovich says both animals are in good spirits, although she says they will need some medical care before they can be put up for adoption.

"They’re doing actually very well. The golden retriever has stolen the hearts of everyone that meets her, staff and volunteers, our veterinarian. She is just a doll. We actually ended up naming her Annie after the orphan Annie," she says. "And the pig is doing actually very well as well. She has some skin and some hoof issues but we are creating a treatment plan for her. She is enjoying her stay. She is being well loved, being fed all types of treats that she is greatly enjoying." 

The group has taken up a collection to help cover the animals’ medical expenses. Predragovich says people can donate online by visiting tuschumanesociety.com, over the phone by calling 330-343-6060, or by mailing a check to the shelter at 1432 Tall Timber NE in New Philadelphia.

STACEY CARMANY, TUSCO TV