Phoenix the dog, a Chow found in Durham Region in August in an extreme state of neglect, has died.
Officials with the region’s Humane Society put down the dog on Friday after it stopped eating and responding to stimulus earlier in the week.
The dog was diagnosed with inoperable tongue cancer a few weeks after he was found in Courtice, with experts saying he could die in weeks or months.
When he passed away on Friday, he was surrounded by his foster owners, the investigator in his abuse case and the shelter manager.
Investigator Debby Houghton is still trying to track down Phoenix’s previous owners. Anyone with leads is asked to call her at 905-433-2022 ext. 2.
