Bridgeport Animal Control is investigating after a severely neglected dog was found thrown away like garbage.

A little Shih Tzu, now named Lottie, is getting the affection previously absent from her life. She came to Red Leash Rescue last month in awful shape.

"Every day she's a little bit better and a little bit better and a little bit better," says Diane Holcombe, the Red Leash Rescue cofounder.

Lottie's path to get to the rescue began Oct. 21 in a dark place - a dumpster at Seaview Avenue and Grant Street.

"The police department received a phone call about 4:30 in the morning about a dog that was dumped in a dumpster in a blanket that appeared to be injured," says Bridgeport Police Department Sgt. Stacey Lyons.

News 12 is told Lottie's condition was the result of years of neglect. She was incredibly matted, covered in feces and blind - one eye was missing, the other needs to be removed.

Lottie also couldn't stand because her nails were so long that they'd deformed her feet.

"It's just...  it makes you feel very like 'what's wrong with the world?' That someone would do that, that someone thought that was OK," Holcombe says.

Bridgeport Animal Control is now trying to track down Lottie's owner with the help of a security camera near the dumpster.

Lyons says investigators are working to clean up the video. All she can say right now is they're looking for a dark colored SUV.

It's unknown if the suspect is a man or a woman.

"We have had a couple people come forward anonymously with some tips on certain cars and certain people that we are still researching," says Lyons.

While the investigation continues, Holcombe and her husband are fostering Lottie.

Holcombe says its too early to determine Lottie's prognosis, but they're optimistic especially as she's opened up to them in the last couple weeks.

They hope Lottie's story is a wake-up to call to others not to stay silent about animal cruelty.

"People saw her in that condition and didn't report that the dog was being neglected or abused," says Holcombe.

The nonprofit Desmond's Army is offering a $1,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of Lottie's owner.

Anyone with information is asked to reach out to Desmond's Army or Bridgeport Animal Control at 203-576-7727.