By Stacy Lee

Published: Saturday, March 16, 2013, 12:01 a.m.
Updated: Saturday, March 16, 2013

Authorities are looking for the owner of a malnourished French mastiff found in McKeesport.

The dog, estimated to be 1½ to 2 years old, showed up at a Christy Park resident's home along Twenty-seventh Avenue on Thursday at approximately 11 p.m.

“The dog is 60-80 pounds underweight,” city dog enforcement officer Ken Ferree said. “I've never seen a dog this malnourished that's still alive.”

He said Ferree Kennels' PetPalz Awareness & Rescue Organization turned the dog over for care at White Oak Animal Safe Haven.

“We don't have the volunteer support staff like the White Oak shelter has,” Ferree said.

He said the rescued canine can't be fed too much because his stomach will knot up and his intestines will turn because he is not used to eating a lot.

Ferree said the purebred dog has been named Hooch since he is the same breed of dog as in the Tom Hanks movie “Turner & Hooch.”

He said the Western Pennsylvania Humane Society is aware of the dog, but can't pursue any charges against anyone because humane officers don't know who owns the canine.

Anyone with information on the French mastiff's owner should call PetPalz at 412-672-2480 or White Oak Animal Safe Haven at 412-672-6699. Callers can remain anonymous.

Ferree said White Oak Animal Safe Haven is looking for someone to foster the dog. Interested individuals should call PetPalz or White Oak Animal Safe Haven.

PetPalz has a website, www.petpalzrescue.org, and a Facebook page, which contains updates on rescues and animal organization events.

Stacy Lee is a staff writer for Trib Total Media. She can be reached at 412-664-9161, ext. 1970, or slee@tribweb.com.

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