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New York woman who called police on black man in Central Park gets dog back

NEW YORK — The animal rescue group that took custody of a dog whose owner had called police on a black man and falsely accused him of threatening her when he was bird watching has returned the animal to the woman.

Abandoned Angels Cocker Spaniel Rescue determined the dog was in good health after a veterinarian evaluation. After other animal rescue groups declined to take custody of the animal the rescue returned it to Amy Cooper, the group said on social media.

"Abandoned Angels would like to express its gratitude for the outpouring of support regarding the dog that was recently placed in our custody, following release of a troubling video that was brought to our attention," the group said on social media. "We have coordinated with the appropriate New York City law enforcement agencies, which have declined to examine the dog or take it into their custody. Accordingly, and consistent with input received from law enforcement, we have now complied with the owner's request for return of the dog."

Cooper's confrontation with Christian Cooper, no relation, was caught on video by Christian Cooper's cell phone. Christian Cooper commented about Amy Cooper's unleashed dog. Dogs are supposed to be leashed in that area of Central Park.

As Christian Cooper began recording, Amy Cooper asked him to stop and approached the man.

“I’m taking a picture and calling the cops,” Amy Cooper is heard in the video. “I’m going to tell them there’s an African American man threatening my life.”

Cooper has since apologized. She was fired from her job with Franklin Templeton. She had surrendered the dog to the shelter from which he came from during the investigation.

Police said there were no arrests made or summons issued in the verbal dispute.