Dog News

Owner Surrenders Starved Dog to Animal Shelter

by Katherine

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Every day, many pet owners walk into shelters to surrender their dogs with a variety of reasons (some valid, some not), but recently, a woman from Georgia walked into PAWS Atlanta with an emaciated dog she no longer wanted and left rescuers speechless.

As soon as the woman walked in with the skin and bones pet, rescuers’ red flags went off. The pet owner sat down and waited her turn, meanwhile shelter workers called authorities without the woman’s knowledge.

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Weighing just 30 pounds and covered in fleas, Spirit as rescuers have named the dog, waited in the lobby for her second chance to live life. Veterinarians examined the dog and even though they know it will be a long an arduous path to recovery, they are hopeful Spirit will once again be 100% healthy.

“We had a lot of work to do. That’s the first thing I thought. We had a lot of work to do,” veterinarian Dr. Ashley Neal told WSBTV.

It will take months for Spirit to be nursed back to health. A dog like her with a house and an owner should never starve, but the reality is there are many irresponsible owners that simply let their dogs starve to death. It doesn’t take much to learn how to care for a dog, and in Spirit’s case, her owners lacked education and resources.

“[We’re] not trying to shame any owners or make people reluctant to bring pets in that are in this condition,” Neal said.

The organization like many others across the nation has programs set in place to help community members care for their pets when times are tough. If pet owners need help, all they need to do is ask.

Authorities have opened an investigation against Spirit’s former owners. For now the dog is under professional care and on her way to recovery. She has gained 3 pounds in the time she’s been under PAWS Atlanta’s care.

For more information about Spirit and how you can help, please contact PAWS Atlanta on their website or by calling 770-593-1155.