Ep 2. Bonnie and Clyde

Animal Precinct is an investigative series that sheds light on the daily struggles of the ASPCA's Humane Law Enforcement division. In season 5 episode 2 titled "Bonnie and Clyde," the focus is on an animal cruelty case involving two dogs.

The episode kicks off with the team receiving a distress call regarding two pit bulls that were allegedly abandoned by their owner in a vacant apartment. Upon arrival, the team is met with a chaotic scene. The dogs are agitated, barking incessantly and running around the small, confined space. Their living conditions are abysmal, with feces and urine covering almost every inch of the floor. The stench is unbearable, and the team members have to cover their noses and mouths to avoid gagging.

The team quickly assesses the situation and tries to secure the dogs as safely as possible. The male dog, Clyde, is easy to catch, but the female dog, Bonnie, is more aggressive and tries to bite the team members. The team takes their time, using nets to corner Bonnie and then using a special catchpole to restrain her, so she doesn't hurt herself or anyone else.

Once the dogs are safely secured, the team takes them to the ASPCA's Animal Hospital for a thorough examination. The veterinary team determines that Bonnie and Clyde are severely dehydrated and malnourished. They also have a host of medical issues, including fleas, ticks, and various skin infections. They estimate that the dogs have been living in those conditions for at least a month.

The team then begins their investigation, trying to track down the owner of Bonnie and Clyde. They scour the apartment complex, asking around and putting up flyers, but nobody seems to know who the owners are. The team then turns to door-to-door canvassing in the surrounding community, hoping to find someone who recognizes the dogs.

The team members put in countless hours and days of work, following every lead and doing everything in their power to bring the culprits to justice. The trail seems to have gone cold until one day, a neighbor comes forward with information. Apparently, the owner of the dogs is an elderly woman who had to be hospitalized suddenly. She had appointed her grandson as the caregiver for her dogs, but he had allegedly abandoned them in the apartment.

The team goes to great lengths to track down the grandson, but he is nowhere to be found. They even reach out to the elderly woman's family members and friends, but nobody seems to have any information about him. Frustrated, the team decides to turn to social media, hoping to generate buzz about the case and get some leads.

Their efforts pay off eventually when a tipster comes forward with information about the grandson's whereabouts. The team tracks him down, and he finally confesses to abandoning Bonnie and Clyde in the apartment, citing financial difficulties as the reason.

With enough evidence, the team presents the case to the district attorney's office, and the grandson is eventually arrested and charged with animal cruelty. Bonnie and Clyde are taken into protective custody and placed in foster care while they wait for their owner's case to be resolved.

Overall, Animal Precinct season 5 episode 2 is a heart-wrenching but necessary reminder of the importance of the work done by the ASPCA's Humane Law Enforcement division. It sheds light on the harsh reality of animal cruelty and the tireless efforts put in by the team to bring justice to the victims. The episode is a must-watch for anyone who cares about animal welfare.