Case Snapshot

Case ID: 14569

Classification: Neglect / Abandonment

Animal: dog (non pit-bull)

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Animal was offleash or loose

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Dog severely neglected
Victoria, AB (CA)

Incident Date: Wednesday, Sep 10, 2008

Disposition: Open
Case Images: 1 files available

Suspect(s) Unknown - We need your help!

With infections in his ear, face and anus, the elderly German shepherd cross looked as if he was on his last legs when he was picked up on the Old Island Highway by a passerby, who assumed he'd been hit by a car.

But after the Victoria SPCA rushed him to Elk Lake Animal Hospital Wednesday, the truth proved more disturbing. The malnourished dog, which SPCA animal protection officer Erika Paul has named Rusty because of his colour, was suffering from a severe case of neglect.

Wounds and health problems had been left untreated, leading to massive infections, she said.

"Based on the preliminary information, this is a blatant case of neglect," said Paul, who is anxious to talk to Rusty's owners or to anyone who recognizes the animal.

"He is an amazing, amazing dog. He's very kind, especially considering the pain he must be in," Paul said.

Veterinarian Phil Stacey, who is treating Rusty, said it will take several days before he knows whether the dog will respond to treatment.

So far, it is not possible to tell whether the wound on the side of his face is related to the problem with his ear, which does not appear to have a normal opening, Stacey said.

However, the most difficult infection to treat is the one associated with Rusty's anal glands.

"It's an autoimmune disease where the body starts to attack its own anal glands. It has been neglected for a long time. It's one of the worst cases I have ever seen," Stacey said.

"The entire area around the anus has been destroyed."

If any of the problems had been caught earlier, they would have been relatively simple to treat, but the outcome is now more difficult to predict, Stacey said.

The dog is so out of condition it is difficult to tell his age, and, at first he was thought to be eight to 12 years old. Now he is starting to eat, he is looking as if could be younger, he said.

"He's skinny, with an unkempt coat and very long toenails, so he may have been abandoned rather than just neglected," Stacey said.

Drugs to treat the anal problem are expensive and Rusty may require an operation on his ear. The cost, which will be picked up by the SPCA, is likely to be several thousand dollars.

"We would love some donations to help," Paul said.

The goal is to get Rusty into a convalescent home and then find him a permanent home, she said.

Anyone with information about the dog is asked to call the SPCA at 250-388-7722 or the Capital Regional District animal control at 250-478-0624.

If you have information on this case, please contact:
SPCA
250-388-7722

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