Animal rescuers are seeking the owner of an emaciated stray dog found in East Penn Township.

Alyson Andrews, volunteer with Starting Over Animal Rescue, serving Carbon, Schuylkill, and surrounding counties, said the emaciated stray dog was found around 1:30 a.m. Wednesday on Dinkey Road. It was then hospitalized Wednesday evening at the Rush Vet Center in Tamaqua.

“We believe it is a shepherd,” said Andrews, who noted they named her “Sally.” “So skinny.”

Andrews explained how the group became aware of the situation.

“The finder contacted us asking for help,” she said. “They knew that she needed to seek veterinary care.”

Andrews said they then told the finder to take Sally to the vet.

“At that point they had her for nine or 10 hours, holding her figuring out what to do,” she said. “They were having trouble finding anybody to help.”

Andrews said Starting Over Animal Rescue immediately contacted their vet, Rush Veterinary Center, to let them know of Sally’s condition.

“She was emaciated and needed to be seen,” Andrews said. “She’s hospitalized there now.”

Andrews noted that Sally was found with a rusty choker (chain choker collar), “covered in feces and had a horrific smell.”

“We don’t believe she was running,” she said. “Her nails were very long.”

Andrews described what they believe took place based on Sally’s condition.

“It seems she was either tied up, or locked in a crate with no access to food for an extended period of time,” Andrews said. “Either somebody dumped her on the side of the road, or she somehow got loose.”

Andrews said they would love for the owner to come forward.

“We would love ... somebody knows this dog,” she said. “God forbid there are more out there where she came from.”

From this point, Andrews said Sally will be on a very strict refeeding schedule.

“She’s being fed every three hours, small amounts; we expect it to take several weeks to months for her to recover physically, but we do think she will recover,” Andrews said. “Also, mentally, she’s going to have a tough time.”

Andrews said once Sally is released from the animal hospital, she will be going into foster care.

She said anyone with information may contact Starting Over Animal Rescue, 570-386-9241, visit startingoveranimalrescue.org, or message them on Facebook.

“There’s definitely been an increase in people needing to re-home their dogs, people dumping their dogs, unfortunately, people not being able to afford vet care or food to feed their animals,” Andrews said. “There are resources out there; it should never ever get to this.”

Andrews noted that food is available.

“We have food, there’s a food pantry in Carbon County, the Carbon County Animal Shelter has food,” she said. “There’s no reason for this.”

Andrews said people can donate toward its medical care by calling the Rush Veterinary Center at 570-668-1222.

Another dog found

The Carbon County Animal Shelter posted Thursday that a dog was found that morning, in an “emergency situation.”

The Carbon County Animal Shelter said the dog was found in deplorable conditions in Tresckow.

They posted that they assisted the constable in rescuing the pup.

Contacted Friday afternoon, the Carbon County Animal Shelter said they’ve since named it “Evander.” They believe it is a Belgium Malinois mix under the age of 1.

Since the post, the shelter said they are aware of the owner’s information, and are hopeful that charges will follow.