Dog abandoned, severely malnourished
Fairhope, AL (US)Incident Date: Monday, Apr 23, 2007
County: Baldwin
Disposition: Open
Suspect(s) Unknown - We need your help!
Case Updates: 1 update(s) available
Fairhope animal control officers are investigating an animal abuse case. They're calling it one of the worst cases of animal starvation they've ever seen.
"There's not any more fat to lose on the dog," said Officer Jerry Merchant. "He's just skin and bones."
On Monday, two women rescued the emaciated dog from a ditch. They took him to The Haven, a no-kill shelter in Fairhope.
"If I had to estimate, at least two or three months, he's probably been eating garbage." said Michael Graham, Executive Director of The Haven. "There's no telling what's in his digestive system."
Investigators don't know if the dog was abandoned or if he ran away from home. They're hoping someone who recognizes the animal will step forward with information.
"If nobody saw the dog dumped, if it was dumped, then of course we'll probably never know what happened."
The Haven officials expect the dog to make a full recovery. He's tested negative for heart worms, and he's being fed a diet of 800 calories a day to help him regain strength.
"It'll be a slow process," said Merchant. "In a month you won't recognize him."
If investigators determine this is a case of abuse, the guilty party could face one year in jail and a $1,000 fine.
Case UpdatesAnimal Control hopes you'll help lead them to the owners of Dusty. Merchant says they'll have to account for every sore, every painfully obvious rib.
There is no longer any doubt that Dusty will rebound. He's already showing some spurts of energy. Just the fact that he's walking is leaps and bounds above where he was on Monday (April 23), when he was found. Graham says Dusty's biggest immediate challenge, is eating. "You get what's called refeeding syndrome, and that can be more lethal than the care we're providing. So you have to take it very slow."
In about 3 months, vets will check to see how his starvation affected Dusty's internal organs, and they'll be able to get a better sense of his temperament. Right now, Dusty just seems relieved to get a little attention. | Source: NBC 15 - April 24, 2007
Update posted on Apr 29, 2007 - 7:42AM |
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