Emaciated Dog 'Days From Death' Found Left in New York Apartment to Starve
On May 16, authorities in Clark Mills, N.Y., rescued a starving pit bull mix they found abandoned in an empty residence
Rescuers took Rhett the dog to a veterinary hospital, where he received a blood transfusion and treatment for anemia
The Oneida County Sheriff's Office has charged an individual with aggravated cruelty to animals in connection with Rhett's caseRhett, the pit bull mix, is fighting for another chance at life.On May 16, the Kirkland Police Department and local animal control from Clark Mills, N.Y., discovered Rhett starving and emaciated alone in an apartment, seemingly abandoned to die.
"Rhett was extremely emaciated, weak, and unable to get up on his own; therefore, he was transported to a local vet," the Oneida County Sheriff's Office, which took over the investigation into Rhett's case from the Kirkland Police Department, shared in a Facebook post.
According to WKTV, Clinton Pet Vet provided life-saving care to Rhett after authorities pulled the dog from the abandoned apartment. To survive the neglect he has endured, Rhett, who also spent time at Upstate Veterinary Specialties, has received an emergency blood transfusion and treatment for starvation, anemia, and fleas so far.
Rhett's rescuers said that the dog was likely "days from death" without any intervention, so the canine is not out of the woods yet. Kindred Spirits Greyhound Adoption Inc. is overseeing Rhett's continued recovery and started a GoFundMe page to cover the dog's mounting medical expenses.
"His owners had moved and left him locked in their apartment to fend for himself. No one knows how long he'd been there, but we were told he was probably days from death. Anger and sadness permeated our practice. To see pictures of him is startling, but to see him in real life is absolutely shocking," the fundraiser page shared about Rhett's condition.
The page added that after a few touch-and-go moments, Rhett moved out of the veterinary hospital and into a foster home, where he "continues to slowly improve." As of May 29, the GoFundMe has reached its $6,000 goal. In an update, Kindred Spirits thanked everyone for their donations. The rescue shared that Rhett "continues to move in the right direction" and is currently on a prescription diet and physical therapy plan to help him regain weight, strength, and mobility.
Rhett has also found justice on his road to recovery. On May 28, the Onedia County Sheriff's Office announced that it "determined Lindsay Meelan (36) of Clark Mills was responsible for Rhett's condition." In response, investigators took Meelan into custody.
Never miss a story — sign up for to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. "Meelan was charged with Aggravated Cruelty to Animals, a felony, Torture/Injure/Not Feed Animals, a misdemeanor, and a Violation of Dog Control Procedures, a violation. Meelan was released with appearance tickets and is due back in Kirkland Town Court on June 17th, 2025, at 5:30 PM," the sheriff's office added.
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