Woman arrested after turning in severely malnourished dog to shelter, police say

Flea-infested, dehydrated dog with injured leg only weighed 59 pounds

EDGEWATER, Fla. – It was one of the worst cases of animal neglect staff members at Edgewater Animal Shelter said they had seen: an ailing mastiff mix brought in by a woman Tuesday afternoon. 

"He has absolutely no muscle mass, no muscle development whatsoever. It appears as though he's been starved," said Amanda Leclair, veterinarian technician.
 
The flea-infested dog had an injured leg, was dehydrated and weighed only 59 pounds, which is about half of what he should weigh.The dog's owner, Sarah Wells, 37, was arrested by police Thursday. 

"He's a very sweet dog. He came in and immediately took over all of our hearts," Leclair said. 

Leclair named him Adonis because she said he has potential. He also has the potential to recover, but the nonprofit organization said it needs money to do that.
 
"It's mostly just a lot of drugs to help his gut restart. His liver is possibly compromised, his kidneys are possibly compromised just from the severe dehydration and malnutrition," Leclair said.
 
News 6 went to visit Adonis at the Newman Veterinary Centers, where he was hooked up to an IV, and already had blood work and X-rays done. Adonis is still so weak, that it took two people to get him out of the cage and go outside.
 
"It's a lot of slow-going and it's going to be long process. The way he looked at us, he perked up and he was smelling around and he wanted affection. He's not done. And, if he's not done, we can't stop," Leclair said.
 
Newman Veterinary Centers told News 6 folks have donated $205 but they still have a long way to go. Staff members said they need about $1,000 to bring Adonis back to health and said every little bit helps.
 
Edgewater Police said there is an open criminal investigation and charges could be filed.
 
If you'd like to help Adonis, please click the link here. Visit the Edgewater Animal Shelter's Facebook page, which also has a Donate button.

You can also call Newman Vets of Edgewater at 386-663-3989 to make a monetary donation.  
 
The Edgewater Animal Shelter is also accepting monetary donations at 386-424-2442.


About the Author:

Loren Korn is a native Texan who joined the News 6 team as a reporter in May 2014. She was born and raised in Houston and graduated from the University of Texas at Austin with a degree in Journalism.