The Heber City Police Department is investigating the death of a dog found in the Heber Valley.  Frank the dog died on Tuesday after being found by Heber City police. Credit: Photo courtesy of Paws for Life About two weeks ago, Police Chief Parker Sever said the department received a report of an abandoned dog. An officer was sent to investigate and found a dog who was later named Frank.  Frank was extremely emaciated and needed medical attention. A healthy dog has a body condition score of four or five out of nine. Amy Mers, executive director of Heber City-based animal rescue Paws For Life Utah, described Frank as having a score of one.  “I haven’t seen one that severe since the three years I’ve been here,” Sever said. Frank saw multiple vets and was ultimately transported to a specialty veterinary hospital in Salt Lake City for surgery to place a feeding tube. Despite veterinarian intervention, Frank died on Tuesday. Officials suspect it was related to the condition he was found in. Mers said Frank touched the hearts of many staff at the rescue and veterinary clinic. She visited Frank frequently in the animal hospital. Mers described Frank’s last few weeks as filled with love and comfort. Now, police are investigating what led to Frank’s emaciation and neglect. Investigators are following a few leads. Sever urged anyone with information about Frank to contact the department at 435-657-7912.  Animal cruelty charges can range from a misdemeanor to a felony depending on the case’s severity. Sever said the city sees some cases of animal cruelty annually but not often and not as severe as Frank’s case. Paws for Life made multiple Facebook posts about Frank to update the community on his condition and asked for people with information to come forward. The posts have garnered hundreds of reactions and comments in support.  “Everybody in the community has really rallied around from Park City to Heber, and so I just want to thank everybody, too,” Mers said. “I just really would like to thank the community for all their support and their donations and just their comfort.” Frank’s was the second neglect case Paws For Life Utah handled last month.  Nova the cane corso is waiting for hip surgery in her foster home after being found underweight. She’s become best friends with her foster family’s son and is recovering. The first was when the rescue found Nova, an underweight 7-month-old cane corso, in Washington County. Nova weighed about 45 pounds when rescued. Today, she’s grown to more than 75 pounds. Mers said someone was arrested and charged in connection with Nova’s case. Nova is waiting for hip surgery, which is estimated to cost almost $10,000, and is currently recovering with a medical foster. While she’s up for adoption, Mers is focused on getting Nova healthy first. Since joining her foster family, Nova has become best friends with her foster family’s son and has become a people-loving dog. “There’s a lot of sadness sometimes, but then we have some happy stories, too,” Mers said. “But she’s doing great, and so I’m just happy that she’s not having the outcome of Frank.” The rescue is still collecting donations for Nova’s surgery and Frank’s remaining medical bills. To donate, visit pflu.org. The post Heber City police investigate possible animal cruelty case  appeared first on Park Record. ...read more read less