WESTFIELD — A dog hit by an NJ Transit train Sunday is recovering from surgery to amputate his hind leg. But his owner — if he has any — has yet to come forward.

Westfield Animal Control Officer Sarah Conklin said the mixed German shepherd was discovered Sunday morning by fellow officer Naomi Modaferri after a passing motorist reported a dog covered in blood near the Westfield station near South Avenue.

Westfield police officers helped Modaferri put the dog into the back of a van for transport to All Pets Veterinary Hospital in Branchburg, which handles injured animals for the town.

The doctors offered to care for the dog at no cost after it arrived.

"The officers did an amazing job at containing the dog as it was in shock and still trying to evade capture. They were genuinely concerned for the dog's well being," Beth Comitas, vice president of Animal Control Solutions said. Animal Control Services is contracted by Westfield to handle animal control.

"He's not out of the woods yet, but he's doing better than we expected and we're hoping he'll make a full recovery and be able to be adopted out once he's all fixed up," Conklin said.

The dog is a male that hasn't been neutered and is estimated to be 5 years old.

"He's very sweet. He's been through a lot. He's kind of unsure at first but then lets you pet him"

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The dog was not microchipped or collared, according to Conklin, which makes it hard to identify the owner and hopes the media attention will get the owner to come forward.

"The dog was running at-large at the time, which is not allowed (in Westfield) but we're not looking to go after them. We just want to make sure the dog is owned or he goes to a good home," Conklin said.

The dog, who has not been named, will have several surgeries as part of his recovery.

"We're just waiting and hoping to see how the body reacts," Conklin said, adding that doctors are concerned about infection. Once the dog makes a full recovery he will be put up for adoption if his owner is still not known.

Conklin asked anyone with information about the incident  to call 908-310-1452.

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