Atticus the dog was unable to lift his head up, stand or eat, and was rushed to the Lost Dogs’ Home for lifesaving treatment
Animal rescuers have praised a dog’s “extraordinary will to live” after a horror case of animal cruelty where he was mistreated for months and left on a pile of hard rubbish in Melbourne’s northwest.
Victoria
Don't miss out on the headlines from Victoria. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Animal rescuers believe a large dog, weighing in at just 12 kgs, had been starved for more than six weeks when he was found dumped and left for dead on a pile of hard rubbish in a suburban street in Melbourne’s northwest.
In one of the most sickening acts of animal cruelty they’ve seen, the Lost Dogs’ Home said it’s a miracle that Atticus, a five-year-old Staghound, is alive after being found on June 21 in a skeletal condition, infested with fleas and lice.
Unable to lift his head up, stand or eat, Atticus was rushed to the Lost Dogs’ Home where he began lifesaving treatment.
The Homes’ Director of Veterinary Services Jessica Wilde said Atticus, who weighs less than half of his recommended weight, likely hadn’t been given a regular meal for at least four to six weeks.
“But my suspicion is that it’s probably been a lot longer,” Dr Wilde said.
“Horrific is the only the word to describe it. It’s a devastating sight to see. This dog has been mistreated for months to get to this state.”
While it’s unknown exactly when Atticus was dumped, Dr Wilde believes the emaciated dog would have been doing all he could to forage for food, and likely relied on eating dirt to survive.
“This dog’s will to live and survive is just extraordinary,” she said.
“All of us don’t know how he’s managed to push through.”
Vets have been carefully managing Atticus’ condition and monitoring his food intake but warned he’s “not out of the woods yet” and still has months of rehab ahead of him as he continues to battle anaemia.
“It’s an incredibly long road ahead,” Dr Wilde said.
Despite his heartbreaking ordeal, Atticus is still so trusting of humans and has captured the hearts of everyone at the Lost Dogs’ Home.
He spends his days bundled up under multiple blankets in his own dedicated room within the facility, and stays with a foster carer each night.
“Every time we walk in, his tail starts wagging and he’s trying his best to sit up and interact,” Dr Wilde said.
“We’re seeing little glimpses of this friendly dog. He’s showing us this sense of just wanting to live.
“The most difficult part of our job is that so many of the dogs that end up here have been let down by the people that were meant to love them. They just want to be loved. They just want to be good boys and girls.”
The case has prompted questions about whether people who are cruel to animals need to be slapped with harsher penalties.
Dr Wilde said severe cases like Atticus’ occur at least once or twice a year.
“Maybe our penalties aren’t strong enough because this keeps happening,” she said.
“Someone treated him like he was a piece of garbage, but he’s a life and we’re here to save him.”
It’s understood authorities are unable to investigate because Atticus isn’t microchipped.
The western-suburbs council, who handed Atticus in, refused to comment.
Originally published as Atticus the dog was unable to lift his head up, stand or eat, and was rushed to the Lost Dogs’ Home for lifesaving treatment
Join the conversation
New Lord Mayor launches bid to keep top job
Nick Reece has revealed his long-term vision, including a $10m plan to light up the city, as he launches his campaign to lead Melbourne for the next four years.
Read more
‘I’ll beat this’: Rocca reveals cancer fight
Collingwood great Anthony Rocca has revealed his shock cancer diagnosis, urging others to listen to their bodies and seek medical advice if something feels amiss.
Read more