HOUSTON – The Houston Humane Society is asking for the public's help to find the person responsible for abandoning and neglecting a dog in a vacated home in the 200 block of Taranto Lane in east Houston.
When an animal cruelty officer responded to the scene, they found the large puppy resting on a pile of dirty laundry.
The dog was brought to the Houston Humane Society's Animal Wellness Clinic for care.
The clinic helps rescue animals in all sorts of conditions, but they say this case is especially disturbing.
“This is one of the most horrific cases of neglect I’ve seen in a long time,” said Monica Schmidt, spokesperson for the Houston Humane Society. “It’s heartbreaking to see any animal hurt needlessly, and I cannot imagine how much pain and suffering she has endured already in her short life. Her body is almost completely covered in mange, she’s suffering from multiple types of intestinal parasites, she’s underweight, and she has a long road of recovery ahead of her, but we’ll be there to help her on her way.”
The shelter said the pup is about 6 months old and is a chocolate-lab mix. For now, the staff is calling her Bella.
She has a long road ahead, but they believe Bella has reason to be optimistic.
"We hope that she's gonna be able to be 100 percent cured of everything," said Schmidt. "And in the coming weeks, maybe months, that she'll be able to find a forever home."
Officers are asking for the public’s help to bring the owner of the animal to justice.
If anyone has information, they are asked to contact the Houston Humane Society at 713-433-6421, by email at deputy@houstonhumane.org or online here.