Willow, emaciated husky, sparks B.C. SPCA investigation
Willow was found wandering around Maple Ridge, B.C., eating gravel to survive
An emaciated husky found wandering around the Metro Vancouver municipality of Maple Ridge has sparked an animal cruelty investigation by the B.C. SPCA.
The severely malnourished dog, which officers have named Willow, weighed only 15 kilograms when it was found by a member of the public near 256th Street and 128th Avenue in Maple Ridge,
That is just a fraction of the normal weight of 24 kilograms for the breed and size, according to a statement issued by the SPCA.
Willow is estimated to be between one and two years old.
Senior animal protection officer Eileen Drever said the young female dog was so hungry it was eating soil and rocks to survive.
“When she first came in she was unable to lie down due to abdominal pain caused by rocks and soil in her gastrointestinal tract,” says Drever.
“There were no food remnants in her stomach, so we think she was eating gravel to try to stay alive.”
Already gained 1 kg
Willow has been receiving emergency medical care at the Dewdney Animal Hospital and nutritional support since Saturday. The dog has already gained one kilogram, said Drever.
"She was barely able to walk when she came in. Her muscles are still very weak, and she sometimes loses her balance but is now able to walk nearly a block with support," said Drever.
The husky is now at the SPCA shelter in Maple Ridge, and the staff are trying to identify who its owner may be.
"She has no identification to link her to an owner, and we are seeking the public’s help in identifying who may be responsible for her."
The SPCA continues to investigate, and encourages anyone who knows anything about Willow or the owner to call their animal cruelty hotline at 1-855-622-7722 immediately.