Life-Saving Care For Emaciated Lexington Dog Amid Animal Cruelty Investigation

SALEM, MA — An animal cruelty investigation is underway, while life-saving treatment is ongoing, for a 2-year-old pit bull mix found in Lexington that the MSPCA said was brought to Angell Animal Medical Center "as emaciated as she could be before passing."

MSPCA said the dog, now called Dolly, was brought in during the early morning hours of Jan. 10 by someone who claimed to have found her outside in Lexington.

"All that we know about Dolly is what we were told when she was brought to Angell, which is that she was allegedly found outside in this condition in Lexington," said Mike Keiley, vice president of the MSPCA-Angell’s Animal Protection Division, who added that she may also have lived in Boston.

"Our Law Enforcement team is investigating, but we're hoping that the public may be able to help us learn how she ended up this way."

Anyone with information on Dolly’s owner is asked to contact MSPCA-Angell Law Enforcement by phone at 617-522-6008 or 800-628-5808 or online here.

Keiley said Dolly arrived "too weak to stand up" and has been in intensive care since her arrival.

Early examinations by Angell’s emergency department veterinarians found that not only was Dolly emaciated, but she also had wounds on her feet and tail.

"It's fortunate that Dolly was brought in when she was,” Keiley elaborated. “She was in desperate need of medical attention."

Dolly has been placed on a measured refeeding plan after suffering seizures upon he arrival. She also has a gastrointestinal bleed that required a blood transfusion.

"Her prognosis is guarded, but with continued around-the-clock care, we're hopeful that she’ll recover," Keily said. "Staff treating Dolly say that she's incredibly sweet, despite what she's been through. We’re hopeful that with the incredible 24/7 care she's getting at Angell, we'll be able to help her heal and eventually place her with a family that will show her the love and appreciation she deserves, but that's far down the road.

"Right now, we’re very concerned with how she came to be in this terrible state and need help from the public to learn more."

Dolly's care is expected to cost more than $15,000. Those who would like to donate to help offset that cost are asked to give here.

(Scott Souza is a Patch field editor covering Beverly, Danvers, Marblehead, Peabody, Salem and Swampscott. He can be reached at Scott.Souza@Patch.com. X/Twitter: @Scott_Souza.)