LAKEPORT — The first case of serious dog neglect seen by Animal Care & Control so far this year has surfaced in Lakeport.
County Animal Care & Control Officer Nehemiah White said it is also the worst case involving a dog which he has seen in over three years.
At the heart of the case is a male German shepherd who White took into custody from a private residence in Lakeport.
An anonymous phone call from a concerned citizen led to the dog”s rescue, according to Paula Werner, program manager for Animal Care & Control.
“That person saved his life,” Werner said.
When White arrived at the home he found the dog in a severe state of neglect, his body emaciated, his paws filled with foxtails.
“When I first saw the dog it was limping on all four feet and the owner could not tell me the last time they had fed the dog nor show me any food for the dog,” said White.
After removing the dog from the abusive home, White transported him to Wasson Memorial Veterinary Clinic, where he received a new name Hero.
Wasson”s Dr. Chris Holmes is overseeing Hero”s care. Holmes estimated Hero is about 4 or 5 years old.
Hero”s extremely emaciated frame weighed in at 60 pounds when he was rescued, which Wasson staffer”s estimate to be half of what an adult German shepherd should weigh. Since last Wednesday, when Hero arrived at Wasson, the staff reported he has gained four pounds nearly a pound a day.
Holmes said he and his staff removed more than 100 foxtails from Hero”s feet. “All four feet were severely abscessed, infected and draining,” Holmes said.
He noted that, in his daily practice, he sometimes sees four or five cases per day involving foxtails which need to be removed, although not to the extent he found in Hero.
Holmes warns pet guardians that non-stop sneezing indicates their pet could have a foxtail obstructing their nasal passages.
Animal Care and Control officials hope to find a loving home for Hero eventually, after he has been treated and assessed for adoption.
In the meantime, Hero will stay at Wasson Memorial Veterinary Clinic because Animal Control cleans their dog runs with water and Hero”s paws need to completely heal prior to his return there.
Hero also will be taking antibiotics for several more weeks.
Denise Johnson, Animal Care & Control”s director, said she sees seven to 15 cases of serious neglect annually.
Of those, only two or three cases are prosecuted every year, said District Attorney Gary Luck.
Luck explained that fewer cases come to his office because of the many factors involved, such as the documentation provided by the veterinarians, the seriousness of the neglect, and what the pet owners are willing to concede to and admit.
In serious abuse cases, where an individual”s criminal history warrants it, Luck said those found guilty of animal abuse and neglect “could see jail.”
Contact Cynthia Davis at cdavis@record-bee.com.
