Severely emaciated pit bull weighing just 15 pounds leaves vets shocked as authorities hunt for owner
CANTON, MASSACHUSETTS: When two kind Samaritans found a year-old emaciated pit bull near the Massasoit Community College campus in Canton, Massachusetts, they immediately rushed it to the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (MSPCA).
The year-old pit bull mix, who has now been named Glitch, was just a meager 15 pounds as opposed to 50 pounds that a dog of his age and size is supposed to weigh.
MSPCA reported that the dog was “completely hunched over” when he was brought to them.
What baffled the doctors was that Glitch was hypothermic when he was brought to the medical center, despite the soaring summer weather in the area.
Dr. Maria Brandifino, a veterinarian who attended Glitch’s case revealed that his poor posture and his tendency to walk on his shins led her, “to suspect he spent most or all of his life confined to a cage”.
She added, “This is one of the worst cases of neglect I have ever seen. When he arrived my first thought was: how could he have even survived this?”
To help him regain weight and get healthy, Glitch has been put on an intensive refeeding program.
“We’ve had to place him on a rigid refeeding protocol to ensure he doesn’t gain too much weight too soon, which itself can be very dangerous,” Dr. Brandifino added.
“But the bottom line is that someone nearly starved this dog to death.”
Owing to the abuse that poor Glitch has experienced, the Law Enforcement Wing of MSPCA has announced that it would offer a reward of $1000 to anyone who can provide information about the person who is responsible for the neglect and abuse of Glitch.
“Anyone with information that may help the MSPCA identify who owned the dog is urged to call the MSPCA’s hotline at 800-628-5808,” the MSPCA wrote in a release about the reward.
“Animal cruelty is a felony in Massachusetts, punishable by up to seven years in prison and a fine of up to $5,000.”
Despite his traumatic past, Glitch is displaying a kind and friendly personality.
He has become an instant hit amongst the staff and volunteers at the medical center.
Dr. Brandifino shared that she was fairly positive about Glitch’s complete recovery and that once he is healthy he will be put up for adoption at MSPCA.