NEW YORK – A young poodle named Rocket, just a year old, is on the mend after a harrowing experience of abuse at the hands of his owner. According to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, Rocket is expected to fully recover from his injuries.
During a heartfelt interview with NewsNation host Ashleigh Banfield, NYPD Officer Kelsey Garcia recounted the traumatic rescue. “From the moment we arrived, and I saw his (Rocket) condition. It was on bodycam when the lieutenant asked if he was going to make it. I immediately said no,’ Garcia said Wednesday, exclusively on ‘Banfield.’ ‘To know that he’s made it past the worst and on his way to recovery … hopefully gets adopted to a good home. It makes it all worth it.”
Fellow officers, Vincent Caprino and Joseph O’Shea, also shared details of the urgent rescue on “Banfield.” Caprino reflected, “We all agreed we had to get there pretty quick,’ Caprino said. ‘We all were hoping it wasn’t real … It was hard to see the dog in such a terrible state.”
The distress call came on May 16, after reports of a woman abusing the puppy emerged, as per WPIX, NewsNation’s New York affiliate. The medical team found Rocket in shock, suffering from a traumatic brain injury, with unstable heart and blood pressure readings. He was immediately transferred to the Animal Medical Center, a veterinary partner of the ASPCA, for specialized care.
Rocket’s owner, 25-year-old Cleopatra Morgan, has been charged with aggravated cruelty to an animal, criminal possession of a weapon, and torture injury to an animal. The arrest record indicates Morgan threw Rocket over a ledge in a moment of distress and informed police she had “snapped.”
Reflecting on the future, Officer Garcia expressed her growing attachment to Rocket: “He’s a hot commodity. So many people want to meet him. I’m going to visit him tomorrow, and I’ve been thinking about take him home. But there’s a long list,’ Garcia said.”
Rocket’s ordeal has sparked a wave of support and interest from potential adopters moved by his story of survival and resilience.
Toledo, United States.
