The mini-poodle who was tossed off a ledge at a Manhattan park by his unhinged owner was reunited with the hero NYPD cops who saved his life this week, officials said Friday.
The 1-year-old pooch, Rocket, has fully recovered from the extensive injuries he suffered on May 16 allegedly at the hands of his former owner at Highbridge Park in Washington Heights – and a family is now lined up to adopt him, an ASPCA spokesperson said.
Touching video released by the organization captured the moment the three NYPD cops who rescued Rocket’s life greeted him including a tearful Officer Kelsey Garcia, who just two months earlier was seen on NYPD bodycam footage crying because she thought the pup wouldn’t make it.
“He needs to go to the doctor,” an emotional Garcia said back in May as she cradled Rocket, and another cop asked her if she thought the dog would survive.
“He’s breathing but he’s choking.”
The officers rushed Rocket to the ASPCA Animal Hospital, beginning a two-month-long recovery.
At that time, Rocket was bleeding from his mouth and had signs of a traumatic brain injury, with an unstable blood pressure and heart rate, according to the ASPCA.
He was transferred to the Schwarzman Animal Medical Center, an ASPCA veterinary partner, because of his critical injuries.
Rocket was then transferred back to the ASPCA, where he underwent surgery for a fractured femur – followed by several weeks of physical therapy.
This week, Rocket clearly had his energy back, and could be seen on video running around, playing fetch and cozying up to cops and ASPCA staff.
“Getting to watch him run, play, and cuddle up to his caregivers represents the importance of the lifesaving work the ASPCA has been doing in collaboration with the NYPD and our vet partners like AMC for the past decade, giving thousands of animal victims of alleged abuse a second chance,” Kris Lindsay, vice president of the ASPCA’s Animal Recovery Center, said in a statement.
“While Rocket’s past few months have been beyond traumatic, we are so thrilled that the young four-legged fighter is making a full recovery, had a chance to reunite with his heroic rescue teams, and will soon be part of a forever, loving home,” added Helen M. Irving president and CEO of the Schwarzman Animal Medical Center.
Rocket’s new owners are scheduled to pick him up next week, according to the ASPCA.
His ex-owner, Cleopatra Morgan, 26, faces charges of aggravated cruelty to animals, torturing, injuring or not feeding an animal, criminal possession of a weapon and false personation, cops said in May.
She was released on her own recognizance during her arraignment, with her next court appearance scheduled for June 26, online records show.