Starving stray dropped off at La Plata County Humane Society
The La Plata County Humane Society in southwestern Colorado says workers were shocked when an emaciated Coonhound named Faith came in the doors.
At two years old, Faith should weigh 40 to 50 pounds. She weighed in at just 23 pounds when she arrived at the shelter on September 20.
Dr. Heather Perkins, the veterinarian at LPCHS, says Faith likely starved for two to four weeks.
“According to the body conditioning system that we follow by, Faith would be a 1. Which means she is the thinnest you can possibly get before dying. She’s the first I’ve seen in about 5 to 6 years and the second that I’ve seen in the last 11 years. When the body is that emaciated, the last resort for the body is to start taking nourishment from the muscles around the skull and then you’re done. Faith is a very lucky dog to be at the Humane Society,” says Jon Patla, the Director of Animal Protection.
Faith has already gained five pounds since arriving at the Humane Society, and Dr. Perkins says she doesn’t have any other medical issues.
Faith will be put up for adoption once she is healthy and strong enough to leave the shelter.
LPCHS is trying to track down Faith’s owner, or anyone who might have information about her. Anyone with information is asked to call 970-259-2847 or 970-385-2900.
Faith the dog recovering from starvation