Severely Neglected Mini

PUTNAM LAKE, NY — A severely neglected miniature poodle carrying around 8 pounds of matted fur was rescued by the Putnam County SPCA Law Enforcement Division Saturday.

When SPCA detectives responded to the Lake Shore Drive residence in Patterson, they found a 9-year-old dog that was unable to see or walk properly due to the fur overgrown in front of its eyes and around its legs. It smelled strongly of feces and urine.

"This is more than a textbook case of neglect," Putnam County SPCA Chief Ken Ross told Patch. "This is one of the worst cases of matting I have ever encountered."

The dog was transported by the Putnam County SPCA Dog Control Officer to Guardian VeterinarySpecialists in Brewster for emergency care.

There, the 13.8 lb. mini-poodle, named Pierre, had more than 8 pounds of feces and urine-soaked matting removed from his body. It took three Guardian Veterinary Specialist staff members more than two hours to remove it all.

Ross said they believed it had been 6-7 years since the dog had been groomed.

"Everybody thought the dog had dreadlocks," Ross said. "But when the technicians got far enough what they found was that there was an embedded collar underneath the fur."

The dog is currently still receiving care at the animal hospital.

"He's very cranky," Ross told Patch. "Imagine your hair being pulled 24/7 in the most sensitive areas you can think of."

Pierre had feces around his anus under the fur. His skin had been repeatedly scalded by his own urine because the fur was matted deep around his penis.

"The hot days we had? That 14-pound dog was wrapped in 8 pounds of fur," Ross said.

The owner, Brian Edwards, was charged with animal cruelty and will be arraigned in the Town of Patterson Justice Court Aug. 30.

Ross thanked the Dog Control Officer and the staff of Guardian Veterinary Specialists for the care given to Pierre.

He urged Putnam residents to say something if they see animal neglect.

The SPCA has been doing outreach programs this year at local schools and libraries. "Rescuing mistreated animals is part of our services," he told Patch. "The other part is to educate people. The more it gets out there that it's OK to call, the better."

The Putnam County SPCA 24-hour hotline is 845-520-6915.