Good Samaritan Finds Emaciated Dog Blinded, Lamed By Matted Fur

PUTNAM COUNTY, NY — The Putnam County SPCA is seeking information regarding the owner or owners of a severely neglected older dog found Monday evening wandering on Chief Nimham Road in Kent.

The dog's rescue is due to an alert and compassionate citizen who was just out for a walk, said SPCA Chief Ken Ross, calling the resident "a Good Samaritan."

Seeing a loose dog limping down the road, the resident called the town's dog control officer, who responded immediately.

He retrieved the male, mix-breed, mini-poodle; and, seeing its condition, alerted the Putnam County SPCA Law Enforcement Division.

The officers took the dog to Guardian Veterinary Specialists in Brewster for emergency care.

"This is one of the worst cases of matting that we have encountered," Ross said. "As the fur mats, it pulls away from the skin causing constant physical pain for the animal. The matting retains water which irritates the skin further as the matting constantly rubs the skin raw."

In fact, the matting was so bad that it wrapped tightly around the dog’s legs and feet making it difficult to walk, SPCA officials said. The dog was so covered with matted fur that he was not able to see through the fur covering his eyes, and the skin under the matting was raw and inflamed.

The dog was suffering from malnutrition and dehydration and his teeth had severe dental disease. The dog’s ears were also infected.

Due to the severely neglected shape the dog was found in, the Putnam County SPCA Law Enforcement Division has opened a criminal investigation and asks any member of the public who might know where this dog has come from to contact the SPCA at its 24-hour number 845-520-6915. Calls remain anonymous.