Dog abandoned, covered with bleeding sores
Auckland, AU (NZ)Incident Date: Thursday, Nov 23, 2006
Disposition: Open
Case Images: 1 files available
Suspect(s) Unknown - We need your help!
Case Updates: 2 update(s) available
The Auckland SPCA is fighting to save a dog abandoned at a Housing New Zealand property in Mangere. SPCA General Manager Jane Thompson says the animal had been locked in a room for a week. As well as being severely dehydrated and hungry, the dog has the worst case of mange staff have ever seen and has bleeding sores all over its body.
Jane Thompson says the dog so badly disfigured, it is impossible to even tell what breed it is. It is touch and go as to whether it will survive.
Ms Thompson is promising to do everything possible to track down and prosecute the dog's owner.
Case UpdatesA serious case of animal neglect has become a story of Christmas cheer for Job the dog rescued by the SPCA.
Job has now recovered enough to be moved to a foster home in the country for a few weeks of rest and recreation.
Foster pet carer Bridget has acquired the temporary guest and she says he is loving life.
Three weeks ago Job's life was in the balance after he had been locked in a room in an abandoned house and left to starve.
SPCA inspector Vicky Border said Job was very weak and not responding but when she knelt down to talk to him, he crawled towards her with his tail wagging.
Job has gained four kilograms, his skin is healing and his fur is growing back. He also has his own QC to handle the prosecution of his former owner.
Despite his neglect, Job has turned out to be a good natured dog and being young he is still quite trainable.
Bridget says he will suit a family which already has at least one dog. And she says he is probably better with grown up children because he is quite boisterous. | Source: TVNZ - Dec 24, 2006
Update posted on Dec 27, 2006 - 2:47PM |
A young dog is fighting for his life after an appalling act of animal abuse that has left the Auckland SPCA reeling with disbelief.
A Housing New Zealand staff member found the dog locked in a room at one of its Mangere properties vacated by the tenant the week before. The SPCA was immediately called.
Inspector Vicki Border was horrified when she found the dog had been locked in the small room with no water, or food, and poor ventilation.
"Not only was he starving and extremely thirsty, he had the worst case of mange I have ever seen.
"He has hardly any hair left on his body, he has bleeding and weeping sores all over him and his eyes are closed with pus," she says.
So bad are the infections, hair loss and sores, the dog's breed can not be identified. But the SPCA is guessing he might be a shar-pei cross.
Ms Border says he would have had to endure weeks of neglect to be so emaciated and in such terrible condition.
Yet the young dog still has the utmost trust in humans.
"While he couldn't stand and could barely crawl, he still tried to come to me and feebly wagged his tail. It was so heartbreaking."
The dog's continued faith in humans has earned him the name Jobe from SPCA staff after the biblical figure Job, who had absolute faith in God as a protector. Job continued to believe salvation would come despite suffering many adversities.
Jobe is now being treated at Auckland SPCA's animal hospital and staff are hoping he will pull through.
"There are a lot of determined people here who will work hard to get him through," Ms Border says.
Jobe, who is about a year old, has a 75 to 80 percent chance of survival but will take at least a year to come right.
The SPCA is working with Housing NZ to find the owners and prosecute them.
General manager Jane Thompson says it is an obvious crime under the Animal Welfare Act.
"What those people have done is absolutely despicable. There is no excuse for what they have done to this innocent and defenceless dog." | Source: Stuff.Co.Nz - Nov 28, 2006
Update posted on Nov 27, 2006 - 9:37PM |
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