SAN ANTONIO – Animal Care Services on Wednesday rescued a starving dog they say was left in an abandoned home in the 100 block of Douglas Way Street off Hackberry, on the city's Near East Side.
ACS investigators said the home was strewn with trash and rotting food, and the dog, named Maisy, was looked skeletal and was too weak to stand up.
The veterinarian overseeing her care, Dr. Marilyn Gotbeter, said she couldn't believe how underweight the dog was when she came in.
"She doesn't have any actual fat around her rib cage or around her back end, so you can see all her bones being exposed," Gotbeter said.
Gotbeter said Maisy weighed less than 12 pounds and was severely dehydrated and malnourished. She said it's a miracle that the pit bull-terrier mix is alive.
"She was completely weak (and) unable to walk. She was unable to get up. Her temperature was very low," Gotbeter said.
On Wednesday, a neighbor tipped off ACS officers to Maisy's plight.
ACS Field Operations Supervisor Audra Houghton said Maisy was in a chronic state of starvation for a long time.
"Her entire body has wasted away, essentially, from not having proper nutrition or nutrients to survive," Houghton said.
Over the past 24 hours, Maisy has received the medical attention she needs, including treatment for hookworms, a flea infestation, an eye injury, and overgrown nails.
Caregivers are also focused on putting on the weight Maisy needs.
"It's been a while for her having to eat food, and we're struggling to have her eat again, and slowly handle the food that she needs to handle," Gotbeter said.
"We're hopeful that she makes it, but (she) definitely is still in critical care," Houghton said.
ACS investigators said they do know who the owner is, but have yet to locate them. If convicted, the owner could face up to two years in jail and/or a $10,000 fine.
Investigators said if the owner has a criminal past, that could mean more jail time.
Last year, Animal Care Services sent 42 high-level cruelty cases to the district attorney's office, and issued more than 5,000 citations of neglect for pets who received no food, water or shelter.