'Most Neglected Dog,' Now Rescued, Needs Home

A male Cocker Spaniel abandoned at the Connecticut Humane Society, in a deplorable condition, represents the worst case of neglect Waterford-East Lyme Animal Control Officer Robert Yuchniuk has ever seen.

“On Friday night, under cover of darkness, while the temperatures dipped down to the teens, someone abandoned a female Cocker Spaniel in an outside fenced area at the Connecticut Humane Society,” Yuchniuk wrote on Facebook. It was later discovered that the dog is a boy.

“This poor dog is in deplorable condition, huge mats of fur soaked with urine and packed with feces,” the ACO wrote. “This poor animal can hardly walk in its condition. [He] cannot go to the bathroom without completely soiling [his] matted fur, I cannot remember having a dog in the animal shelter in more neglected condition.”

Gina Garreffi of Olivers Tails LLC and Caitlan Nadolny of The Diesel Dog Groomers donated nearly three hours of their time and groomed the dog, Yuchniuk said.

They freed the dog of 7.6 lbs. of filthy, matted hair.

“He now looks and feels 1,000 percent better,” Yuchniuk said. “I also want to thank Doctor Cathy Clark for administering a sedative shot to make the painful grooming process bearable for this guy. He did wonderful and is now back at the shelter smelling like shampoo!”

In the spirit of Thanksgiving, the dog was renamed “Pilgrim,” because he is searching for a new home, the ACO said.

“My thanks to everyone who offered their positive thoughts and prayers,” Yuchniuk said.

Offers to help the dog poured in and the ACO said Pilgrim should be ready to receive visitors by the middle of this week.

Yuchniuk asked anyone with information on who the owner of the dog is to contact him at 860-442-9451 or visit Waterford-East Lyme Animal Control on Facebook.

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