Starving Dog Tied Up With No Food Or Water Chews Off Own Leg, Owner Charged With Animal Abuse

Trigger warning: This story contains graphic descriptions of animal cruelty and abuse. 

 An abhorrent human being in New York City has been charged with animal abuse after he left his pooch to starve in a crate chained to the yard. The poor pupper, named Zoe, was so hungry that veterinarians believe she tried to chew off her own leg, reports The New York Times. Carl Pritchard, 59, was charged on Monday with cruelty and failure to provide food and shelter to Zoe.  She was spotted by a UPS worker who found the suffering German shepherd at the Exeter home, state troopers said.

According to the police, the UPS driver reportedly saw Zoe on November 14 with severe damage to her leg. Zoe, who is around 9-year-old, was living outside in a plastic pet carrier. She had no food, and all she did have was a dog bowl that was covered with snow.  The poor baby was brought to the Oneonta Veterinary Clinic, where vets determined that she had chewed off her front leg. “The dog was very emaciated,” Dr. Joan Puritz said. “She may not have been getting enough nutrition. The leg was probably injured and she was trying to take care of it herself.”

Zoe has been transferred to Cornell University veterinary school for further treatment. “I’ve never seen anything like this,” said Dr. Puritz. “It breaks your heart. She’s such a sweet dog.” While Zoe is making progress, according to Daily Mail, vets say that her medical bill could cost thousands of dollars.  Zoe also had a mass on her shoulder that vets feared was cancerous, but a CT scan revealed that it may only be a fatty tumor. An update from the hospital revealed that Zoe had made it through surgery and was doing well. 

Susquehanna SPCA said, "The surgeons say they believe they were able to fully remove the mass and successfully amputate her leg. The next 24 hours are critical as she will be monitored coming out of anesthesia and is at risk for bleeding. The goal is for her to leave the hospital on Friday or Saturday." Experts said Zoe's age, heart murmur, and anemia were "all very serious issues to be managed during a risky procedure." Several people have offered to donate to help Zoe recover.

"This chance to survive and live a peaceful life is made possible by the many caring people who have contributed to her care," the SPCA said.  New York state police said Zoe's owner Carl Pritchard, was arrested and faces several charges including torturing and injuring animals and failing to provide shelter.  "Veterinarians believe she chewed off her own arm, she was found with no food and water, living outside in a plastic pet crate with hay inside," added the police in their statement.

Thankfully, there are still good people, and several of them have made inquiries about adopting Zoe. Nonetheless, anyone interested will have to go through an adoption counseling process run by the Susquehanna SPCA.  "For Zoe, because we know so little about her, we will be requiring her adopter to have no other animals and no small children," the organization said. "She will need lots of quiet time and patience. Additionally, she will continue to have medical needs that will require visits to a veterinarian."