“Dolly” Found in Critical Condition, Unable to Stand on Her Own
BOSTON, Jan. 14, 2026 – A roughly two-year-old pit bull terrier mix is receiving lifesaving treatment in the Intensive Care Unit at Angell Animal Medical Center in Boston after being brought in extremely emaciated, the MSPCA-Angell announced today.
The dog—now called Dolly—was brought in during the early morning hours of January 10 by someone who claimed to have found her outside in Lexington.
“When this dog came in, she was unbelievably thin and too weak to stand up,” described Mike Keiley, vice president of the MSPCA-Angell’s Animal Protection Division. “On the scale we use to measure a dog’s body weight, she had the lowest possible score—meaning she was as emaciated as she could be before passing.”
Since her arrival, Dolly has been receiving around-the-clock care—and not a moment too soon.
A Guarded Prognosis
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.”
Doctors have Dolly on a careful refeeding plan and are monitoring her constantly to ensure that she does not develop what’s known as refeeding syndrome—serious complications that arise when food is reintroduced too quickly.
“Dolly had a seizure shortly after she arrived, which we believe was caused by hypoglycemia, but that actually opened the door to several more seizures in subsequent days,” he detailed. “She also has a gastrointestinal bleed of unknown origin that required a blood transfusion and may need surgical intervention.”
“Her prognosis is guarded, but with continued around-the-clock care we’re hopeful that she’ll recover.”
Dolly will remain in intensive care until her seizures are managed, the gastrointestinal bleed is resolved, and she has the ability to stand and walk on her own, which Angell veterinarians expect will take at least one week. During that time MSPCA-Angell Law Enforcement will attempt to learn more about her past.
Questions Abound
“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 Keiley, who noted 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 at mspca.org/tip.
“Staff treating Dolly say that she’s incredibly sweet, despite what she’s been through,” he added. “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 at mspca.org/dolly.
