Severely neglected dog finds a new home

BOSTON (MyFoxBoston.com) -- A severely neglected dog who had to have tumors and its eyes removed has found a home, according to officials at MSPCA-Angell Animal Medical Center.

A concerned citizen brought the dog, estimated to be about nine years old, into the adoption center in Jamaica Plain on Oct. 2 after finding the dog in her yard in Dorchester. Staff at the MSPCA believe the dog was dumped there by her previous owner, and could have been locked in a crate - possibly for years.

With no identification tags, staff at MSPCA-Angell named the dog "Petunia." To help Petunia, veterinarian Dr. Cindi Cox and her team shaved the emaciated dog's matted, stained fur, and trimmed her nails, which were ingrown and growing into her paws.

The team also evaluated her eyes, which were infected and could not be saved. After gaining enough weight to undergo surgery, a surgeon from the medical center's ophthalmology team removed Petunia's eyes.

"This is one of the most severe cases of neglect I've seen," Dr. Cox said in a statement.

After the surgery, adoption center employee Katie Armour decided to adopt Petunia.

"I was struck by Petunia's incredible will to live and, having played a role in getting her past the worst of her health issues, I knew I had to take her home," she said in a statement.

According to MSPCA-Angell officials, the center's three state-wide animal care and adoption centers take in, and place into new homes, thousands of homeless dogs, cats and other animals every year.

More info: http://www.mspca.org/ or (617) 522-7400

Cox Media Group