Heartbreaking: Dog weighing only 19 pounds rescued in Cleveland

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- A dog weighing just 19 pounds was rescued in Cleveland. Mutts in a Rut Rescue posted about the rescue on its Facebook page and said the 1-year-old pup was at least 20 pounds underweight.

Officers from Cleveland’s Division of Animal Control rescued the dog named Malachi after a neighbor reported him wandering the streets near the Rainbow Terrace Apartments on the city’s east side Monday night.

Chief Ed Jamison said the officers rely on people reporting dogs in distress in order to get them help.

“The good Samaritan that brought this dog inside and immediately called us, they can be credited with saving this dog's life,” he said.

Jamison said someone likely starved the dog then tossed him onto the streets or else he escaped from being trapped somewhere, because he would likely not have been able to survive long on the streets in his condition or someone would have reported him to animal control.

“His condition is about as severe as you can get, next to him being deceased,” said veterinarian Dr. Rebeccah Urbiztondo, of Westpark Animal Hospital, where Malachi was being treated.

He was hooked up to intravenous fluids and receiving rationed food as he was being nursed back to health, but he appeared in good spirits.

“He has a lot more energy; he has a vigorous appetite; he's really responding to the attention we're giving him,” Urbiztondo said. “He's doing great. I think he'll do really well.”

Urbiztondo said Malachi appeared headed for a full recovery, which could take several months. He could then be placed up for adoption.

If you would like to help Malachi, Mutts in a Rut Rescue says you can do so via PayPal - muttsinarutrescue@gmail.com or send a check to Mutts in a Rut Rescue PO Box 111335, Cleveland, OH 44111.

Or you can call in a donation to the vet clinic on the Mutts in a Rut account (216) 252-4500.

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