Video: Dog Lovers Come to Avon to Meet Cocoa and His New Family

Avon Animal Control Officer Beverly LaPlume held a "Meet Cocoa" day Saturday at the town’s Canine Shelter to thank the people in the community who donated money to help pay for the medical bills of Cocoa, a surrendered 10-year-old springer spaniel, and who showed concern for the dog's well being.

The dog had been surrendered as part of a court deal involving his owner, who had faced court proceedings because of the condition officials found the dog in.

The community donated over $2,000 to a fund at the Avon Police Department for Cocoa. At least $800 of that amount came from Canton pet store Petals & Paws customers, Sandy McCollough, the store's manager, said. Canton resident Patti Fehr raised $150 clipping dog's nails and Animal Communicator Sharon Warner contributed about $40 of the proceeds at a Petals & Paws event.

It cost at least $1,400 to remove the three tumors and treat Cocoa's Lyme disease and urinary tract infection, as well as other associated vet bills. The leftover donations have been put in an Avon Police Department fund that will be there as cushion in the event that there are other rescued or surrendered dogs in need like Cocoa in the future, LaPlume said.

LaPlume removed Cocoa from a Waterville Road home in January and arrested former owner Juliette Givens on charges of animal neglect, among other things. All charges were dropped mid-March on the condition that Givens, the boys varsity volleyball coach at Farmington High School and a special services paraprofessional in the district, surrender the dog.

Cocoa is now living with Christina Patterson, who was his foster parent during the court proceedings and who has since adopted him.

Patterson's father has nicknamed Cocoa, "The Professor."