Starving puppy dumped in Neptune improves under Monmouth County SPCA's care
FREEHOLD - Monmouth County Prosecutor Raymond S. Santiago appealed to the public Wednesday for information on who abandoned a starving puppy on a Neptune street, as the condition of the emaciated animal improved.
The female puppy, named "Matilda'' by staff at the Monmouth County Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, was actually discovered about 8 p.m. on Saturday by a person who took in the animal but then called the SPCA the following day when he realized she was too sick for him to adequately care for her, Santiago said in a news release.
SPCA staff responded to the 1300 block of Monroe Avenue about noon Sunday to retrieve the sick puppy, estimated to be eight to 10 weeks old, and bring her to the agency's shelter in Eatontown for urgent medical care, Santiago said.
When they did, Matilda was struggling to breathe and so emaciated, she was unable to lift her head, and SPCA representatives weren't sure she would survive.
The caller told authorities he found the puppy the night before, two blocks away, near the intersection of Bangs and Myrtle avenues.
Matilda's condition has improved since she was taken to the SPCA's shelter in Eatontown for emergency medical treatment.
Her temperature has stabilized, the SPCA said on its Facebook page Wednesday. Since she was severely starved, Matilda is now being fed small, frequent meals. And, she is happily interacting with other dogs at the shelter, the Facebook post said.
When she came to the shelter, Matilda's bloodwork "wasn't so great,'' but SPCA staff are hopeful that, too, will improve.
"Matilda is in foster with other dogs and she just can't get enough of them,'' the SPCA said in its Facebook post. "She absolutely loves to cuddle and has been following them around like a shadow.''
Matilda is living up to her name, which means "Mighty in Battle,'' by showing small, yet promising signs of improvement, the SPCA said in its post.
A video of Matilda posted by the SPCA when she was first brought to the shelter showed her curled in a fetal position, shaking, unable to move and suffering from severe dehydration.
Another video the SPCA posted Wednesday showed her standing, wagging her tail and eagerly chowing down on a bowl of food.
The county prosecutor acknowledged Matilda's progress in his news release. Santiago noted the pup is now eating and socializing with other dogs at the shelter.
The prosecutor said he is determined to get justice for Matilda.
"The degree of neglect this defenseless puppy endured to wind up in the state she is currently in is, in a word, unfathomable,'' Santiago said. "We are hopeful that someone who lives in or frequents this area may have some information that would allow us to identify who is responsible and go about taking the first steps toward bringing them to justice.''
Anyone with information is urged to contact SPCA investigators at 732-440-1539.
The Monmouth County Prosecutor's Office, and Neptune police are also involved in the investigation.
Animal cruelty charges in New Jersey can be punishable by up to five years in state prison.
Kathleen Hopkins, a reporter in New Jersey since 1985, covers crime, court cases, legal issues and just about every major murder trial to hit Monmouth and Ocean counties. Contact her at khopkins@app.com
This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: Starving dog dumped in Neptune improves; suspect still sought
