At a Glance
- A 2-year-old pit bull mix, now named Dolly, arrived at MSPCA-Angell on January 10 after being found near Lexington, Mass.
- Vets scored her body condition at the lowest possible level and diagnosed emaciation, seizures, and internal bleeding.
- Why it matters: Dolly’s care is projected to exceed $15,000, and investigators are asking the public for help tracing her past.
A badly emaciated stray dog is clinging to life under 24-hour watch at Angell Animal Medical Center in Boston, and the team that saved her is pleading for clues about the cruelty that left her near death.
Rescue and Critical Condition
On January 10, a Good Samaritan dropped off a severely underweight dog at an MSPCA-Angell shelter, saying the animal had been roaming near Lexington, Mass. Staff immediately transferred the 2-year-old pit bull mix to the hospital’s Intensive Care Unit.
“When this dog came in, she was unbelievably thin and too weak to stand up,” Mike Keiley, vice president of the MSPCA-Angell Animal Protection Division, said in a release. Veterinarians recorded the lowest possible body-condition score, signaling extreme starvation.
Mounting Medical Complications
Within hours, Dolly began suffering seizures. Doctors suspect the first was triggered by hypoglycemia, but the episode opened what Keiley calls “the door to several more seizures in subsequent days.” Additional findings include:
- Gastrointestinal bleeding of unknown origin
- A necessary blood transfusion
- Possible need for surgical intervention
- Wounds on her tail and paws
The medical team has three immediate goals:
- Stabilize her seizure activity
- Stop the internal bleeding
- Advance a carefully calibrated refeeding program to avoid re-feeding syndrome
## Long Road to Recovery
Despite the grim findings, caregivers say Dolly is “incredibly sweet.” Her status is listed as positive but guarded. She must demonstrate the ability to stand and walk unassisted before she can leave the ICU.
“We’re hopeful that with the incredible 24/7 care she’s getting at Angell, we’ll be able to help her heal and eventually place her with a family that will show her the love and appreciation she deserves,” Keiley explained, “but that’s far down the road.”
Search for Answers
Investigators have little to go on. “All that we know about Dolly is what we were told when she was brought to Angell, which is that she was allegedly found outside in this condition in Lexington,” Keiley said. The MSPCA-Angell Law Enforcement division is actively pursuing leads and is asking anyone with knowledge of a previous owner to come forward.
How to Help
- Tip line: Call (617) 522-6008 or (800) 628-5808
- Online: Submit information at mspca.org/tip
- Donate: Dolly’s care is expected to top $15,000; gifts can be made at mspca.org/dolly
Key Takeaways
- Dolly survived extreme neglect and now needs costly, specialized care
- Quick action by her finder and the MSPCA team saved her life, but her future depends on continued treatment
- Authorities believe the public may hold the key to uncovering how she was reduced to skin and bones
