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Intentionally starved ‘Champ’ brings hope for change in animal cruelty laws

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Champ, the intentionally starved dog, continues to flourish at his Maryland foster home. After four-and-a-half-weeks, he has gained 30 pounds – with another 30 to go, but what a difference. He loves his walks, he loves to roll in the grass, and he carefully watches for any scraps to fall from the kitchen counter.

Who can believe this is the Laurens, South Carolina dog whose photo of him curled up in the dirt starving, near death and crawling with maggots went viral? Animal advocates were outraged as Champ’s terrible story of abuse and neglect unraveled. His journey began on August 14 when he was rescued.

“His heartbreaking story is that he is the victim of a breakup,” Rescue Dogs Rock NYC co-founder Jackie O’Sullivan posted on the organization’s social media page. “… since ‘he was not her dog’, she fed her dogs but not Champ.”

The Justice for Champ Facebook page has garnered nearly 48,000 fans who have been following the dog’s recovery. His photos  tell his story. From the shiny coat, to the friendly outings with other dogs he meets along the way to the hugs and smiles he gives to his foster parents, Champ is a survivor. It is the story of a dog who nearly died, was saved by Rescue Dogs Rocks NYC; and look at him now!

Not only does Champ bring hope that elected officials will see some of the “before” and “after” photos and enact stricter animal cruelty punishments, but also pass new laws prohibiting chaining and legislate to set reasonable  and humane standards of care for all companion animals.

Check out Champ’s video to see where his heartbreaking story started and where he is today. Champ is the hope for the abused, neglected and abandoned.

Keep up with the latest animal news by following the National Pet Rescue on Facebook.

Previous coverage of Champ here.

Stunning video shows paddle boarder’s encounter with orca!

Adorable! Dog got the zoomies at an office

Emma tried to hide in the corner of Texas shelter: This puppy got lucky

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Emma Tee tried to hide in the corner of a Texas shelter; this was to be her last stop in the medical ward before a cart arrived to move the neglected nine-month-old puppy to the back room for euthanasia.  On Friday, her story had been destined to begin and end as follows:

“Emma Tee sits in a Texas kill shelter, in horrendous medical condition.
She’s on the cold and dirty, germ infested floor which is so sad
She is at the end of the road here.
Hairless, her limbs are swollen from infection, deep sores and gashes all over her body
We don’t know who did this to her, who allowed this to happen to her
She lies curled up tight, in a little ball hoping she can hide away in the shelter walls
Sadly, it’s just the opposite, there’s no hiding as she’s in the sick ward , where those dogs are first to be Euthanized.”

Emma Tee is one of the lucky ones. Rescue Dogs Rock NYC were asked to help this puppy, and at that moment the puppy’s life changed. She is currently safe and recovering at the organization’s San Antonio veterinary partner. Her skin is badly infected, her legs and feet are so swollen, she can barely walk, and the open sores all over her body are just a small indication of the misery and neglect this young puppy has suffered in her short life.

Emma Tee is expected to make a complete recovery.

To help with Emma Tee’s recovery and the beginning of her new life, donations can be made by clicking here.

Read more animal news on the National Pet Rescue Facebook page.

Yesterday in the news: Horribly neglected dog brought to shelter in a basket…he was too far gone to save. More here.

Outrageous! Mother bear and her cub killed after hunter was attacked – more here.

Newly rescued dog is so grateful to be freed from chain!

This dog lived a horrific life of misery on the streets – but look at her now!

It was the end of the line for 18-week-old Bebe until fate stepped in

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It had been the end of the line for a four- and-a-half-month-old puppy. Bebe seemed lifeless, rejected, shut down and homeless with no hope of ever finding a home. Barely beginning her life, the puppy had already suffered so much; one look at her, and it was apparent that she had been a victim of extreme neglect and abuse.

Video#1. Suddenly Bebe heard a voice, but was that human calling her?

When asked to help, Rescue Dogs Rock NYC didn’t hesitate. Co-founder Stacey Silverstein stepped forward to give Bebe hope.

“Lying on the dirty, germ infested shelter floor waiting to die, Bebe knew her fate. We assume Bebe was a happy puppy at some point in her life, but things certainly turned for the worse … and now she was left abandoned and sick in a kill shelter waiting to die,” Stacey posted on the organization’s Facebook page along with the puppy’s heartbreaking photo.

“We took one look at her video, and we knew we had to help.”

Bebe suffers from dehydration, a serious skin infection, anemia and dehydration. She is currently at the organization’s San Antonio veterinarian partner receiving urgent medical care.

“Her eyes are full of puss, her ears are cracked and stiff from neglect –
Her body hairless and covered in sores
She’s shaking from being so weak 
Thank goodness we rescued her when we did as she was in horrific condition
Bebe has already had IV fluids and a medicated bath to soothe her skin.”

Bebe, however was not the only innocent young victim of abuse and neglect at that shelter. Kennel mate Bobo, who is just eight months old, also has suffered. He looked up as Bebe was getting ready to leave. Look closely, and note this puppy’s eye is missing. How did that happen? And so Bobo would not be left behind.

“We plan to literally give them their life back by bringing them to a place of health peace and well being,” added Stacey.

Video#2: Bebe’s kennel mate Bobo would not be left behind.

Please help Bebe and Bobo
https://www.paypal.me/rescuedogsrocknyc

Read the latest animal news on the National Pet Rescue Facebook 

Yesterday in the news: Fire department helps wayward sea lion get back to the ocean – more here.

Senior dog in need: Tortured puppy is making remarkable progress – more here!

 

 

From intentionally starved to the ‘luckiest’ dog in the world

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Champ, the once intentionally starved dog from Laurens, South Carolina, might be considered the “luckiest” dog in the world. Comfortably settled in his foster home in Maryland, the gifts continue to flood in.

Everyday is a new day for Champ. Going for walks and sniffing along the way with a family who loves him; is it any wonder he feels like the “luckiest” dog in the world?

Now the trips to the veterinarian don’t require Champ to stay overnight anymore. The prods and the pokes of needles are nearly finished. His progress continues to be amazing, and everyone at the office loves him. Champ is the “luckiest” dog in the world.

CHAMP VET UPDATE:

“Do you see that number???!!!!

Weight 73 lbs.
Pcv is at 37
Hemoglobin is normal

We are cutting back on his iron supplement and starting to mix in puppy food to get some more weight on him. Skin test won’t come back for 21 days. Didn’t appear to have mites. Suspects the hair loss is a secondary reaction to malnutrition. He had an ear infection and is on meds for that. Overall, he’s on the right path. He goes back in 2 weeks for a recheck. Everyone LOVED him!”

Many thanks from Champ to Rescue Dogs Rock NYC for making this dog’s journey possible.

Read previous coverage of Champ here.

Another dog that made a remarkable recovery:

Read the latest animal news on the National Pet Rescue Facebook page.

In the news yesterday: Officials believe that moose drowned because of people crowding to take photos. More here.

More news: Busted! Woman accused of dumping blind and deaf senior has been identified and charged.More here.

You’re sure to smile – adorable kittens are simply cuteness overload! Watch the video here.

Clever dog stands in the pool like a human – watch the adorable video here

 

Dog ‘Champ’ intentionally starved holds no grudges as miracle continues

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Champ the intentionally starved dog, has made himself comfortable at his foster home in Maryland.  On Wednesday, the dog celebrated his three-week anniversary since his rescue. The now pampered pooch has  already gained 20 pounds. And when Champ is hungry, he barks!

“Doesn’t my head look much better? At my weigh in today at the vet I was 71.9 pounds! This means I have gained 20 pounds in the 3 weeks since I was rescued!,” Justice for Champ’s Facebook page posted.

Video: “I’m a happy guy, but shouldn’t you be feeding me now?”

Everyday Champ is getting stronger. Who can believe this is the Laurens, South Carolina dog exactly three weeks ago, whose photo of the dog curled up in the dirt starving, near death and crawling with maggots went viral? Animal advocates were outraged as Champ’s terrible story of abuse and neglect unraveled:

“His heartbreaking story is that he is the victim of a breakup,” Rescue Dogs Rock NYC co-founder Jackie O’Sullivan posted on the organization’s social media page. “… since ‘he was not her dog’, she fed her dogs but not Champ.”

Changes to existing tethering law and stricter animal welfare ordinances are being discussed. The following progress has been made:

“Update on the Greenville County, SC tethering ordinance: it passed its second reading, 11 to 1. They did not vote to bypass the final reading. That means it will go to a third and final vote in early October. We had six speakers from the public speak for the ordinance, and zero against.

Nearly every single person mentioned Champ tonight, and the importance of drafting stricter animal welfare ordinances to ensure nothing like this can happen again.

The meeting in early October will include a public hearing. Anyone is welcome to speak.

This is a big step forward. We have been heard. This is because of Champ, he is a worldwide celebrity. He is our catalyst for change.”

Read prior coverage of Champ’s plight here.

Keep up with the latest animal news by ‘liking’ the National Pet Rescue on Facebook.

In the news yesterday: Two women killed while trying to save dog in the road – more here.

More news: Navy veteran who gouged out dog’s eye found guilty of cruelty – more here.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Emaciated Zeke ran into daycare center and miraculously rescued

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No one knows where nine-pound Zeke came from, but on Thursday, the emaciated puppy innocently wandered into a daycare center in San Antonio. Moments later he quickly scampered away.

Volunteer animal advocates saw the three-month-old skeletal body covered in a thin layer of skin and fur and knew the puppy would not survive much longer; they went on a search to find him. Rescuers were able to join together, collaborated a basic plan and searched for hours. No one could find Zeke; many of the volunteers had to go home.

No way was this to be the end of the story for this frightened puppy. Two rescuers had no intentions of giving up – Zeke would surely have died.  And at 9:00 p.m., the rescue was a success. Zeke was captured and spent the night with his heroes.

Rescue Dogs Rock NYC have again stepped up to help. On Friday morning, just hours before the start of a long holiday weekend, Zeke was taken to the organization’s  partner veterinarian where he is receiving life-saving medical care and undergoing tests.

“Little Zeke is only 9 pounds at 3.5 months old. He should weigh at least 15 pounds,” co-founder Stacey Silverstein posted on the organization’s Facebook page. “This poor guy had a horrible beginning in life, but we will make sure that is all changed!”

To help:

www.paypal.me/rescuedogsrocknyc

Read more animal related news on the National Pet Rescue Facebook page.

In the news yesterday: Groomer accused of strangling customer’s pets – more here.

More news: Puppy rescued from beneath suffocating blanket in 90 degree heat – more here.

Border collie gets so excited watching herself on TV – watch the adorable video here.

Puppy reunited with mom – watch the heartwarming video here.

From nearly dead to superstar, ‘Champ’ packing up to leave hospital

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It’s happy tears for Champ today – the Laurens, South Carolina starved and abused 16-month-old Mastiff who was barely alive when he was found lying in the dirt, starving and crawling with maggots less than two weeks ago. The photos of the emaciated dog quickly went viral when New York City non-profit Rescue Dogs Rock NYC stepped up to help after a Good Samaritan found the dog intentionally starved and left tied up to die.

“His heartbreaking story is that he is the victim of a breakup,” Rescue Dogs Rock NYC co-founder Jackie O’Sullivan posted on the organization’s social media page. “… since ‘he was not her dog’, she fed her dogs but not Champ.”

And now, Champ has certainly lived up to his name. Everyday, under the 24/7 care of the CVETS Critical Care Veterinary Hospital in Columbia, veterinarian Tracy Schlicksup and the staff continue to care for the dog who has clearly defied all odds.

Check out this video:

Champ will undergo more blood tests later this week, but now that he is off intravenous feedings, pain relievers and supplements and walking around on his own, he is expected to be packing up his blankets, his treats and his toys and be spending the waning days of summer at an experienced medical foster this upcoming weekend.

Although Champ still needs to gain about 50 pounds and has physical therapy to continue building his muscles, the medical team feels he is almost ready to leave.

We can only imagine the tears – happy ones, of course, as Champ moves out of the hospital, but it is all good news. For anyone interested in adopting Champ, if all goes as planned, this boy will be ready for his new family within the next four to six-weeks. If interested, apply on online at www.rescuedogsrocknyc.org.

Just in case you need a little more sweetness, check out this video of Champ loving life:

Read previous coverage of Champ here.

To help more dogs just like Champ, please click:

www.paypal.me/rescuedogsrocknyc

More news and updates on National Pet Rescue here.

In the news yesterday: Man accused of slitting throat of his mom’s dog – read more here.

More news: Bears held captive for decades moving to sanctuary – read more here.

Border collie gets so excited watching herself on TV – watch the adorable video here.

Puppy reunited with mom – watch the heartwarming video here.

Update on doxy ‘Rocket’ who appeared had been skinned alive

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In Yadkin, North Carolina, the doxy mix, “Rocket” arrived at the shelter on Friday looking like someone had tried to stab, burn and then skin him alive. In addition to the horrific injury on his back, he was covered in fleas while his infected skin had been peeling away.

Rescue Dogs Rock NYC stepped up to help and transferred the dog to their partner emergency veterinarian hospital for life saving treatment. His injuries were shocking:

“The biggest flap of skin had already fallen off, but you can see all the deep cut marks and even his head and ears are missing fur,” Stacey Silverstein, co-founder of the rescue organization posted on the group’s social media page accompanying the graphic photos. “The heinous wound on his back goes down to the muscle. When he arrived at the ER vet, they said was he was badly infected with puss coming from the burned skin.”

 

Rocket underwent his first surgery to remove the necrotic tissue on his back; some of the wounds so deep, the dog’s bones had been exposed. On Saturday evening, the dog’s update described what happened and how the 11-pound, two-and-a-half-year-old doxie suffered.

“We have learned that Rocket’s terrible burns were caused by bad flea treatment and that in an effort to ‘fix it’ his previous ‘owners’ did attempt to cut his skin off with a knife resulting in horrific wounds and infection. His case is pending investigation in NC. Our hearts break for his suffering.”

And just when anyone could doubt the beauty of a dog’s heart and their ability to forgive, check out Rocket’s video this morning. Pay special attention to his tail wagging:

Get well soon Rocket. Everyone is cheering for you.

Rocket will remain at the 24 hour Emergency Hospital receiving around the clock care. Please help.
https://www.paypal.me/rescuedogsrocknyc

Read previous article here.

Read more animal news and find the latest updates at the National Pet Rescue.

In the news yesterday: Young dog described as “playgroup rock star” on the list to be put down. Read the story here.

Positive news: Chubby cat who stole the heart of the nation has found a new home – read more here!

Get your puppy fix – sweet Dane falls asleep while eating strawberries. Watch it here!

Puppy reunited with mom – watch the heartwarming video here.

Rescued doxy looked as if someone tried to stab, burn and skin him alive

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In Yadkin, North Carolina a local animal shelter reached out for help after a doxy mix arrived looking like someone had tried to stab, burn him and then skin him alive. In addition to the horrific injury on the dog’s back, he was covered in fleas and his infected skin had been peeling away.

Rescue Dogs Rock NYC stepped up to help and were immediately able to transfer the dog to their partner emergency veterinarian hospital for life saving treatment.

“The biggest flap of skin had already fallen off, but you can see all the deep cut marks and even his head and ears are missing fur,” Stacey Silverstein, co-founder of the rescue organization posted on the group’s social media page accompanying the graphic photos. “The heinous wound on his back goes down to the muscle. When he arrived at the ER vet, they said was he was badly infected with puss coming from the burned skin.”

On Friday, the two-and-a-half-year-old, 11-pound doxy mix was sedated in order to debride and clean up his skin. Some of the wounds are so deep, the dog’s bones had been exposed. Rocket remains on intravenous fluids and antibiotics while his team of doctors decided on the best course of action for his extensive wound care. He continues to rest comfortably with the help of heavy pain medications.

“The suffering poor Rocket has endured is unconscionable and we just can’t understand who would do such a depraved act to an innocent dog. Rocket has wounds indicative of being stabbed and burned. This abuse was continuous and did not happen in one day, so the suffering was over a period of time,” Stacey posted on the dog’s latest update.

 

An animal cruelty case is under investigation.

Rocket will remain at the 24 hour Emergency Hospital receiving around the clock care.

(Photos of rescued doxy Rocket courtesy of Rescue Dogs Rock NYC)

DONATIONS ARE NEEDED
https://www.paypal.me/rescuedogsrocknyc

Read more animal news and find the latest updates at the National Pet Rescue.

In the news yesterday: Young dog described as “playgroup rock star” on the list to be put down. Read the story here.

Positive news: Chubby cat who stole the heart of the nation has found a new home – read more here!

Get your puppy fix – sweet Dane falls asleep while eating strawberries. Watch it here!

Puppy reunited with mom – watch the heartwarming video here.

 

From nearly dead to a ‘Champ’ making strides against animal cruelty

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In Laurens, South Carolina a starved and abused 16-month-old Mastiff named Champ continues to make amazing medical strides as he recovers. Just a week ago, Champ was barely alive; his photo curled up in the dirt starving, near death and crawling with maggots went viral; animal advocates were outraged at the brief description of the dog’s plight:

“His heartbreaking story is that he is the victim of a breakup,” Rescue Dogs Rock NYC co-founder Jackie O’Sullivan posted on the organization’s social media page. “… since ‘he was not her dog’, she fed her dogs but not Champ.”

Champ has been under the care of the CVETS Critical Care Veterinary Hospital in Columbia. Veterinarian Tracy Schlicksup states the dog is getting stronger every day and his vital signs have now all stabilized. Although he was initially helped to his feet to take a few steps with the use of a sling, he has taken a few steps on his own.

“Champ is taking a break from treatments and physical therapy to just spend some time in the sun relaxing and playing with his toys. Since arriving at CVETS on Saturday he continues to get stronger and is even doing some walking on his own without support. It will be a long road to recovery but he’s on his way,” the hospital’s Facebook page posted with some adorable photos – of course!

Luckily Champ has youth on his side as to his ability to regain his health. He is given six small meals a day to help him gain weight, has physical therapy to build his atrophied muscles and according to his doctors, the staff and volunteers, Champ has an incredible spirit and will to put into his recovery.

A Facebook page, Justice for Champ continues to follow the dog’s recovery, but has now taken the campaign to demand change in the animal cruelty laws in South Carolina.  Elizabeth James of Lisbon Road has been charged with deliberately starving Champ for 30 days because she was angry at her ex-boyfriend. James made bond out of Laurens County Detention Center on Friday.

If found guilty, James faces a maximum fine of $1,000 and up to 90 days in jail. It is not known if the prosecutor will seek restitution for the dog’s medical expenses.

In another animal cruelty case in South Carolina, meet Atticus. Rescue Dogs Rock NYC has also stepped up to help this starved little one. His plight is just as important as Champ’s:

“This poor baby is Atticus. He was also a cruelty case in SC found starved, emaciated with an embedded rope around his neck. We have seen posts about other dogs saying they are not Champ implying no one sees or cares & that is not true . Maybe one in 10,000 dogs rescued reach that kind of notoriety.

Atticus is just as important as any other dog out there. His suffering matters no less! Poor baby is only 20 pounds & we are told he is also amazing & sweet! “

To help:

www.paypal.me/rescuedogsrocknyc

More news and updates on National Pet Rescue here.

Read previous coverage here.

In the news yesterday: Young dog described as “playgroup rock star” on the list to be put down. Read the story here.

Positive news: Chubby cat who stole the heart of the nation has found a new home – read more here!

Get your puppy fix – sweet Dane falls asleep while eating strawberries. Watch it here!

Puppy reunited with mom – watch the heartwarming video here.