Severely emaciated dog tied up outside in the cold rescued by BC SPCA

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The B.C. SPCA is looking into animal cruelty charges against the previous owner of a dog left tied up outside in the cold and extremely emaciated.

The seven-year-old mastiff named Handsome was saved in a joint effort by the RCMP and BC SPCA, when constables attended a property in Hope on Dec. 20 and discovered the starving dog outside, tethered on a heavy chain, surrounded by ice and snow.

A bucket of water, frozen over with ice, was nearby, as well as a thin wooden dog house without insulation or bedding that was surrounded by ice.

“This poor boy was visibly shaking – he’s so thin and his bones are clearly visible — with very little to no body fat the dog is unable to maintain its body heat,” says BC SPCA senior animal protection officer Eileen Drever.

Drever says he was rushed to the vet, who gave him a “body condition score” of only one out of nine.

“That is nowhere near healthy for any dog, let alone one who was left outside in extremely cold weather without access to adequate shelter,” said Drever. “We rescue thousands of animals from heartbreaking situations every year at the SPCA, but cases like this are particularly shocking,” she added.

The costs associated with Handsome’s care are expected to exceed $4,000 for medical treatment, care, and rehabilitation.