The owners of a golden retriever puppy are facing criminal charges after Animal Control officials said the owners tried to neuter the dog without the help of a veterinarian.

According to a police press release, Animal Control responded to the 8000 block of Sebring Court in Severn on April 13 after receiving an anonymous tip.

The officer found a 4-1/2-month-old male dog named Cola with a rubber band around its testicles. The dog’s testicles were shriveled and discolored, and the area around the rubber band was red and irritated, police reported.

Animal Control seized the dog and learned that he needed immediate veterinary care. Greater Annapolis Veterinary Hospital agreed to take on Cola’s case pro-bono and performed surgery on the dog. Veterinarians completed the neuter and treated an internal infection.

Police said charges are pending against Cola’s owners, who have not yet been identified.

Animal Control Administrator Robin Small said Cola is recovering in foster care, where he is being administered antiobiotics and pain medication.

Small said several people have expressed interested in adopting Cola, but that the owners have not signed over ownership of the dog to Animal Control. Small said the owners would not be required to turn over ownership unless a court finds them guilty of a crime.

Small said that the officer who found Cola has been with the department for 20 years and had never seen a case of someone attempting to neuter a dog on their own. But she said it is not unprecedented.

"We did a lot of research, and there have been other cases," she said.

Animal Control reminded the public to contact local veterinary clinics or the  shelter if they can’t afford to care for their pets. Animal Control said it keeps a list of clinics and services that spay or neuter pets at low cost.

Animal Control can be reached at 410-222-8900.