Heartbreaking Video: Starving Dog Rescued By Firefighters Dies

TAMPA, FL – She was so starved her ribs protruded from her torso, making her look more like a bizarre horror movie prop than a living, breathing boxer dog.

Near death, the weak, emaciated dog somehow knew where to go for help.

She wandered into the Tampa Fire Rescue Station 9 maintenance division in West Tampa.

Capt. Dennis Ponce of Tampa Fire Rescue Station 6 on 22nd Street in Port Tampa arrived with crew members about 15 minutes later to have some work done on one of the station's fire trucks.

A mechanic was trying to feed the dog and the firefighters were horrified when they saw her condition.

"We were in shock," said Ponce. "It broke my heart. I'm a dog lover and it hurts to see an animal suffer like that."

Station 9 is a short distance from the Humane Society of Tampa Bay so Ponce volunteered to drop the dog off there. The firefighters drove her to the shelter in the fire truck. Shelter staff were equally horrified at her condition.

“We weren't even sure if she would make it through the first day," said Humane Society CEO Sherry Silk. "She was severely emaciated, had heart worms, a parasite infection so severe she was vomiting worms and possibly other serious complications."

On Tuesday morning, Aug. 21, Humane Society vets discovered one of those complications is likely thyroid cancer. They discovered a tumor on her thyroid.

Following surgery and blood transfusions, technicians have been giving Misha intravenous fluids and monitoring her around the clock. Nevertheless, she has continued to weaken, has lost 2 more pounds and is having difficulty walking.

"The vets and the techs here have done a wonderful job but we're not going to let her suffer," said Silk. "She's telling us it's time. We have done everything we can do for her."

Surrounded by society staff, Misha took her last breath around 12:30 p.m. Aug. 21.

Ponce said he was sorry to hear about her deteriorating condition,

"I was really hoping she would pull through," he said. "Our job is to save lives but there are many times when the outcome is heartbreaking."

An investigator with the Hillsborough County Pet Resource Center is attempting to trace where the dog came from and find the person who treated her so cruelly.

Images via Cameron Leff

Members of Tampa Rescue Station 6 pose with Misha, who was named by a Humane Society veterinary technican. From left are firefighter Emilio Salabarria Jr. , Capt. Dennis Ponce and driver-engineer Michael Hollingsworth.

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