Dog severely neglected
Ashby, MA (US)Incident Date: Thursday, Jul 28, 2005
County: Middlesex
Disposition: Alleged
Abuser names unreleased
Case Updates: 1 update(s) available
Joey, the severely malnourished Labrador-mix dog that was found on July 28 in Ashby, is making major improvements, according to Ashby Dog Officer Mary Letourneau. "He is now doing very well, he can pull himself up onto his front elbows quite easily," Letourneau said. Joey still cannot get up and walk yet.
Letourneau also said someone has come forward who may own Joey. However, she could not release any details as the case in under investigation by the Ashby police.
"The investigation is now moving forward," is all she could say. She did add the Ashby police may be doing a press release on the dog within a week.
Ashby Police Chief Steven McLatchy's office has confirmed an investigation into how Joey ended up on the side of the road is ongoing.
Joey was found on Thursday, July 28 laying on the property of a woman who lives on Route 31 in Ashby.
When Letourneau first took him in, he could not so much as lift his head due to dehydration and malnourishment.
"He is definitely perkier, and one thing he has learned in less than a week is the ding on the microwave when his food is ready," Letourneau said.
She said she talks to Joey to tell him his breakfast, lunch or dinner is coming, and he starts barking at her in anticipation.
"It's amazing how fast they learn, and how fast he has picked up when his meal times are," she said.
He can drink water and eat out of a bowl now, too.
"Up until the other day, I had to put the food into his mouth for him and give him water with a syringe, he was too weak to eat and drink on his own," she said.
Letourneau and Dr. Lynne O'Neil, veterinarian at the Townsend Veterinary Clinic, estimate Joey to be between eight and 10 years old.
On last Wednesday, Joey had an appointment at the clinic to see about starting the treatment for Lyme disease, which he suffers from, according to Letourneau.
"When he was found, all the blood work came back fine other than he has Lyme, which is common in the area," she said. "The treatment will help loosen his joints and maybe help him walk again.
"I have been massaging his muscles for him, and he really seems to like that," she added. "His tail is wagging more and more now."
She said abandoning a dog -- if that was what happened to Joey -- is a felony in Massachusetts.
"If that is what happened, it is more that just animal cruelty, this is a crime what they did to this dog," she said.
When Joey was found, he had no tags, microchip or any other type of identification on him, so Letourneau is not even sure if he is from this area.
A fund has been set up at the Townsend Veterinary Clinic to assist with Joey's medical bills.
To donate, call the clinic at (978) 597-5828.
Shari Kief, who works at the vet's office, said to date, they have gotten a call from as far out as Seattle, Wash., from someone wanting to make a donation or adopt the dog.
"We have gotten a lot of calls from people looking to help Joey out," she said.
Case UpdatesCharges of animal abuse and animal cruelty have been filed in Ayer District Court, according to Ashby Police Chief Steven McLatchy, in the case of Joey -- the dog that was found abandoned and severely malnourished in July. McLatchy said the name(s) of the person(s) cannot be released yet.
"The charges will be heard by the clerk magistrate in a closed forum first," he said. "We are awaiting that hearing date. If they feel there is enough evidence, then it goes into open court and the name or names can then be made public.
"We have enough evidence to support those charges from an investigation that began on August 4," he added.
Massachusetts law states that abandoning an animal is considered a felony.
Joey was discovered along Route 31 in Ashby on July 28. He was laying on the opposite side of a guardrail.
Letourneau said Joey was so weak he could not lift his head to eat or drink due to dehydration and malnourishment. She had to put the food in his mouth and help him chew and gave him water with a syringe.
Joey's ribs were all visible when he was found, and according to O'Neil, that was due to lack of food and water for some time. When she went to give him an intravenous injection, she was unable to because his veins collapsed from the dehydration. Joey was also given a series of blood tests, and it was found he had Lyme disease, which, according to O'Neil, is very common in this area. Joey is currently being treated for Lyme.
On Friday, Letourneau said Joey is doing very well.
"He responds to his new name and plays well with all of my other animals," she said in a telephone interview. "He is also responding extremely well to the Lyme disease treatments."
Joey has put on 15 pounds since July, Letourneau said. "He certainly knows what feeding time is," she said. "He waits for the microwave ding then dives in." Joey is now able to eat and drink on his own and is once again able to walk, she added.
A fund has been set up at the Townsend Veterinary Clinic to help defray Joey's medical bills. To make a donation, call the clinic at (978) 597-5828. | Source: Townsend Times - Aug 31, 2005
Update posted on Aug 31, 2005 - 10:31AM |
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