Emaciated, Dehydrated Dog Rescued In Howell: SPCA

HOWELL, NJ — Residents are expressing outrage in Howell and surrounding towns after an emaciated dog was rescued from a home in Howell Township.

The dog, now named Buster by the Monmouth County SPCA, was found chained outside of the home in the cold and rain with no shelter, no food and no water, according the society's Facebook page.

Howell Township's animal control officials received an anonymous phone call last week about the dog, the SPCA post said, and when SPCA officers arrived at the home, "we saw an animal that once may have resembled a dog, but was now skin and bones, barely able to stand and looking completely out of hope."

Buster was emaciated and dehydrated, covered in fleas, had "festering ear and skin infections (and) had a mouth of rotted teeth," the post said. Initially officers were not sure he would survive, the post said.

Buster has been receiving intravenous fluids and a pain reliever because the dog's joints were visibly swollen, according to the post. He is being fed on a very specific feeding schedule, receiving very small amounts of food every few hours because his stomach had shrunk due to not being fed, officials said in the post.

"We have to make sure we don't overfill it - which would cause further medical issues," the post said.

"Since we rescued him, we've been doing our best to keep Buster comfortable with big fluffy comforters, a calm and quiet environment and A LOT of love," the SPCA post said. He has been receiving deworming treatments, skin treatments and antibiotics as well.

The post did not give the address or the name of Buster's former owners, but in response to questions from people responding to the post, said only that the owners will face animal cruelty charges for the way Buster was treated.

A message to Monmouth County SPCA Chief Ross Licitra seeking more information was not immediately returned.

Last June, 276 dogs and puppies were rescued from a hoarding situation in Howell. The owners in that case eventually pleaded guilty to to one count of criminal animal cruelty and 24 counts of civil animal cruelty. They were fined $25,000 and cannot own pets again unless cleared by a psychiatric exam, according to a report on NJ.com.

The Monmouth County SPCA is seeking help covering the costs of Buster's care. Donations can be made by clicking here.

Photo of Buster via Monmouth County SPCA Facebook page