On February 14, 2003, while trying to capture a stray dog, Animal Control Officer Barry McGee saw a small fenced-in area hidden behind some brush in a nearby yard.  The officer gave up chasing the stray to investigate what was in the pen.

What he found was a dog covered in mange, pressure sores and severely emaciated.  Living in a 4 foot by 4 foot pen, filled with two inches of dog feces, the dog looked to be very close to death.  There was no opening or gate in the fencing, which led Officer McGee to believe that the dog was never allowed out of the pen.

He also saw another dog kept closer to the owner's house that appeared well cared for.  When the man was asked why he took care of one dog and not the other, he simply said, “It was just too far of a walk to the pen.”

The dog was rescued and brought to the Humane Society.  The owner was charged with animal neglect and the judge ordered him to pay a fine of $140.00.

Although we are not always able to do so, we immediately took action to save the dog’s life.  We named the dog “Lazarus” (aka “Lazlo”).

Since that fateful day in February, Laszlo has been neutered and undergone heartworm treatment.  His final heartworm test revealed that the treatment was a success and he is clear from the disease!  He also has gone through a successful treatment to rid him of sarcoptic mange and has already grown back a hefty amount of his blonde hair.  He ballooned from 41 pounds to 76 pounds in only four months!  It's amazing what a little TLC will do.

Although he’s still a little rough looking around the edges … in our eyes he’s handsome.