PREBLE COUNTY-- A severely emaciated dog is in the care of the Preble County Humane Society after it was found Friday on a rural county road.
Humane Society Officials say the dog was starved to the point of skin and bones.
A resident on Israel Somers Road alerted the county dog warden about the dog, which was curled up and freezing on his back porch.
After the warden saw the dog's state, the Humane Society was contacted.
"That's the type of thing that catches at my heart," said Humane Society of Preble County President Leslie Renner, "That was horrible. That was one of the worst cases I think I have seen."
Renner brought the two year old lab, Pitt Bull mix to the shelter to be rehabilitated.
"She needed warm water, good food, and her gums were so cold," she said, "They were cold to the touch they were completely pale, it looked like she had no blood flow."
After five days of food, water, and love from the Humane Society staff, the dog, being called "Blue Belle," had gained more then 7 pounds after being fed four times per day.
"Her coat is very poor and she needs the nutrition to work through that," said Renner about the missing patches of fur and exposed skin on Blue Belle.
Renner said she believes Blue Belle was in that state of emaciation before she was dumped on the side of the road, because she believes in that state she would not have survived more than one night out in the cold.
Renner is in contact with the Preble County Sheriff's Office about the case of neglect and cruelty in hopes of finding who is responsible.
"The laws could be much tougher but it is extremely hard and I understand how hard it is to prove ownership of a dog," Renner said, "Once it's off the property your hands are tied."
"For someone to do that just makes you so angry," she added.
Renner said it will take between 6 and 8 weeks for Blue Belle to reach a normal weight.
She will likely be up for adoption once she has a clear bill of health.
Anyone with information about who may be responsible for Blue Belle should call the Preble County Humane Society 456-7387, or the Preble County Sheriff's Office 456-6323
Humane Society Officials say the dog was starved to the point of skin and bones.
A resident on Israel Somers Road alerted the county dog warden about the dog, which was curled up and freezing on his back porch.
After the warden saw the dog's state, the Humane Society was contacted.
"That's the type of thing that catches at my heart," said Humane Society of Preble County President Leslie Renner, "That was horrible. That was one of the worst cases I think I have seen."
Renner brought the two year old lab, Pitt Bull mix to the shelter to be rehabilitated.
"She needed warm water, good food, and her gums were so cold," she said, "They were cold to the touch they were completely pale, it looked like she had no blood flow."
After five days of food, water, and love from the Humane Society staff, the dog, being called "Blue Belle," had gained more then 7 pounds after being fed four times per day.
"Her coat is very poor and she needs the nutrition to work through that," said Renner about the missing patches of fur and exposed skin on Blue Belle.
Renner said she believes Blue Belle was in that state of emaciation before she was dumped on the side of the road, because she believes in that state she would not have survived more than one night out in the cold.
Renner is in contact with the Preble County Sheriff's Office about the case of neglect and cruelty in hopes of finding who is responsible.
"The laws could be much tougher but it is extremely hard and I understand how hard it is to prove ownership of a dog," Renner said, "Once it's off the property your hands are tied."
"For someone to do that just makes you so angry," she added.
Renner said it will take between 6 and 8 weeks for Blue Belle to reach a normal weight.
She will likely be up for adoption once she has a clear bill of health.
Anyone with information about who may be responsible for Blue Belle should call the Preble County Humane Society 456-7387, or the Preble County Sheriff's Office 456-6323