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Dog found starving and wounded in Sharp Park is in better spirits but still has healing to do

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Posted at 5:45 PM, Feb 04, 2021
and last updated 2021-02-04 20:30:40-05

DELTA TOWNSHIP, Mich. — A dog found in Sharp Park starving, wounded and covered in urine and feces is healing at an emergency veterinary clinic.

The dog, now called Ralphie, arrived at the Humane Society on Tuesday and was taken to an emergency veterinary clinic right away.

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Ralphie couldn't walk when he arrived at the clinic.

"The dog was in horrendous condition. It's a little bit shocking the dog was still alive based on the physical condition the dog was found in," said Julia Willson, president and CEO of the Capital Area Humane Society.

Ralphie couldn't walk when he arrived at the clinic, but, as of Thursday, Willson says he's in much better spirits and was standing, interested in eating, wagging his tail and giving kisses.

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Ralphie is wagging his tail and giving kisses.

"There are still some things we're significantly worried about. Obviously, this kind of abuse takes a toll on an animal's body. And there are some things we have to get corrected, and hopefully, his body will respond," said Willson.

Willson says the Humane Society sees a fair number of animals that have suffered from some level of neglect or animal cruelty, but "we don't often see these very extreme cases where an animal got to this point. So that's a great thing because these are horrible cases."

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The dog arrived at the Humane Society on Tuesday.

The case is still under investigation, and they will hold Ralphie in their care until the investigation is complete since he's considered live evidence.

"Between his health and the investigation, he's going to be with our organization for several months at the very least. And hopefully, when those things progress, and he's healthy enough, and we have an outcome on the case, then we will be able to put him up for adoption," said Willson.

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A man found Ralphie at Sharp Park.

If anyone has information on what happened, they should call Eaton County Animal Control at 517-543-5755.

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Asya Lawrence

1:07 PM, Jun 15, 2022

Your Neighborhood Reporter

Asya Lawrence

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