A sweet little black and white dog peeked out from a dumpster door near an apartment complex in Rochester—matted, wet, and shivering. His howl for help echoed through the chilly air. Thankfully, a kind passerby noticed and stepped in to help.
Rochester Animal Services and the Humane Law Enforcement team at Lollypop Farm quickly joined forces to rescue the pup and get him the care he needed. Given the circumstances of his abandonment, Humane Law Enforcement began a full investigation into his case. He was named Oscar—a nod to where he was found—but unlike his namesake from Sesame Street, Oscar was no grouch. He was nothing but sweetness.
Oscar was brought to Lollypop Farm and was evaluated by staff at the Klingenstein Veterinary Clinic. He was underweight, tangled in mats, and had clearly been through a lot—but his tail never stopped wagging. It didn’t take long for the staff to fall for his lovable personality. Once he was groomed and given a clean bill of health, Oscar was ready for the fresh start he deserved.
In just a few short weeks, Oscar’s story turned from one of neglect to one of second chances.
Unfortunately, not all stories end this way. But thanks to the tireless efforts of Lollypop Farm’s Humane Law Enforcement team, many animals like Oscar get the chance to heal and find happiness.
Lollypop Farm’s Humane Law Enforcement officers are certified peace officers in New York State. They investigate and enforce animal cruelty laws in Monroe, Genesee, Livingston, and Orleans counties. These cases can be difficult—gathering evidence takes time, and community support is often critical to ensuring animals are protected.
In Oscar’s case, investigators canvassed the neighborhood, asked questions, and searched for answers. But after weeks of investigation, his former owner was not identified.
While it’s tough when a case remains unsolved, what matters most is that animals like Oscar go on to live better lives. Today, Oscar is living proof of the second chances that are possible, thanks to the compassion of a stranger and the dedication of the Humane Law Enforcement team at Lollypop Farm.
Oscar is now living his best life with his new family. His owners say that he is doing great at home. “We couldn’t love him more,” states Oscar’s dad, Steve. “He loves taking long walks with his dad to sniff all the sniffs before curling up on the sofa to snuggle with Mom.” Oscar’s family states that he has a lot of adorable quirks as well, like pulling his toys out into a neat pile, taking four specific toys into bed each night, and preferring to have small, gentlemanly bites of treats! When speaking of the team at Lollypop Farm, Steve recounts, “Everyone was so nice and patient and answered any questions we had. We were very impressed that the behavior specialist, the vet, and everyone who had been working with Oscar stopped in while we were meeting with him to answer any questions we might have. They gave us all the time in the world to sit with him and make sure it was a good fit. The process was very easy, and we felt very comfortable with everything when we left to start Oscar’s big adventure. He is a good guy, and we are so very grateful to the officers and everyone at Lollypop Farm who rescued our baby. He is so very loved, and he is loving life.”
If you witness an animal being abused or neglected, call our Humane Law Enforcement Hotline at 585-223-6500.
