Animal Humane Society Helps Severely Neglected Dog Start New Life

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- Animal rescue crews consider it one of the worst neglect cases they've ever seen. A dog half the weight she should be left in an abandoned property without food or water.

Petunia came into the Animal Humane society essentially skin and bones three months ago, and doctors weren't sure she'd make it.

It was the kind of call he'd taken countless times before -- one of more than 3,000 a year -- when humane agents will get from Minnesota citizens worried about an animal's welfare.

But upon arriving at a foreclosed property in Pine County at the beginning of February, Wade Hanson knew this discovery would be different.

"It's probably one of the skinniest dogs I've seen," Hanson said.

A 10-year-old terrier mix locked in a garage, struggling to walk, without food or water. A dog that should weigh 80 pounds but barely hit 45.

Her owner eventually came forward to say she'd left Petunia for just a few minutes when she was seized. A statement investigators don't believe based on what the dog looked like.

Doctor Graham Brayshaw says Petunia was just days away from dying when she came to the Animal Humane Society in Golden Valley.

"We're still not there, saying 'We're sure she's going to make it,'" Brayshaw said, "but she's got a lot better chance than when we first saw her."

We first met Petunia two weeks into her stay. Dr. Brayshaw first ruled out any diseases that may have caused Petunia's weight loss, settling only on starvation.

"Through all of this, she's the sweetest dog in the world, she really is," Dr. Brayshaw said.

Then, the focus turned to food. Eating too much, too soon could be fatal for her condition.

"It will probably be a week or two of steady weight gain to feel she's really out of the woods -- that she's really doing well," he said.

Within weeks, Petunia is ready for a foster family.

Terri Lynas is one of 300 the Humane Society relies on to help their homeless animals heal.

"It made me super sad to think what she had gone through. It just made me sick to think what she had gone through," Lynas said. "She knows how to sit, knows how to stay. She's been a terrific dog."

Petunia's back legs will likely never be strong enough to jump, but she's now getting around just fine. By her next appointment, two months after she'd been found, we see how much progress Petunia has made. She gained 20 pounds since February.

Petunia now goes to the adoption floor, healthy enough to head home with a new family.

"It's one of those cases you really feel like you can make a difference," Dr. Brayshaw said.

Petunia's owner was cited with animal neglect -- a misdemeanor.

Humane agents say of the more than 500 active animal abuse investigations a year in Minnesota, only about a dozen people will face prosecution.

The Animal Humane Society estimates it cost about $5,000 to help Petunia get better. Adoption fees only cover just a small fraction of the free medical care it provides. It relies on donations to keep them running.

You can help the Animal Humane Society raise money at its annual Walk for Animals.