The dog has been named Caesar and will be available for adoption in a few months.
“He was in pretty bad shape when he was brought here,” said Greg Willey, FAPL director. “We’re trying to ease him back into a normal diet. He’s gained two pounds since he has been here, but he won’t be back up to normal weight for a few months.”
Caesar was found by police while searching a home at 216 E. 29th St. after breaking up an underage party.
“I observed a dog (Mastiff) tied up to a table inside, the dog appeared to be unable to move due to being wrapped around the table with a cable rope, therefore I opened the side door of the garage to further check the welfare of the dog,” wrote reporting officer Craig Payne. “A very foul and putrid smell emitted from the garage due to a large amount of garbage that had been piled up.”
The dog was lying on top of garbage infested with maggots and flies and appeared malnourished and filthy, he wrote. The dog had sores on his legs, around its neck near the collar and was later found to have sores inside its mouth.
“The vet said based on their assessment they believe that the dog has not had food or water for a month or longer,” Payne wrote. “They advised that the dog has only survived this long because of the garbage that he was most likely eating.”
Willey said a Mastiff of Caesar’s size should weigh between 120 to 140 pounds. Caesar weighed 100 pounds when he was brought to the adoption shelter last Saturday.
“We have to use a lot of caution and common sense to make sure neglected animals get the proper nutrition,” he said. “We’re giving him a high fat and protein diet and he’s being fed small portions several times a day.”
The FAPL brings in 2,100 animals each year and takes in cats, dogs, rabbits and guinea pigs. An average of 90 animals are adopted each month after they receive the proper care and training.
Caesar may undergo a 16-week training program at the Grafton Prison where inmates teach neglected dogs basic commands.
“Some of the dogs who are in severe situations go through the prison program so they know how to sit, stay and heel,” Willey said. “It gives the dogs the opportunity to be domesticated and acclimated to human contact.”
Caesar will be available for adoption after he is neutered and gains more weight.
“He was really shy and nervous when he first got here, but in a week he has really come out of his shell,” Willey said. “He’s a pretty clever dog, he seems to know some basic commands but he still has a long way to go. “
For further information on the Lorain County Friendship Animal Protection League, visit their location at 8303 Murray Ridge Road, Elyria.
(morningjournal.com - October 27, 2012)
