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04
Jun

Tiny Three-Pound Yorkie Pulled from Dorchester Dumpster now up for Adoption at the MSPCA-Angell

Thrown Away like Trash, “Oscar” Now has a Second Chance at Life

BOSTON, June 4, 2019 – A tiny three-pound Yorkshire Terrier now named “Oscar” is on the mend at the MSPCA-Angell after a good Samaritan plucked the lucky pooch from a dumpster on Blue Hill Avenue in Dorchester and rushed him to the MSPCA’s Angell Animal Medical Center on May 21.

Dr. Hannah Marshall of Angell’s Emergency & Critical Care Unit was first to examine Oscar, and she was shocked by what she saw.  “His fur was matted and dirty and he was extremely thin, dehydrated and neurologically impaired—likely due to severe nutritional deficiency,” she said of dog believed to be between two and three years old.

Dr. Marshall believes Oscar had not been fed for at least a week, perhaps longer.  He was immediately started on IV fluids and ate ravenously when presented with food.  “He perked right up after about an hour and he has been wonderful ever since,” she said.

Dr. Marshall believes Oscar absolutely would have died if no one came to his rescue.

A Brighter Future for the Young Dog

While it is impossible to know for sure how he ended up in the trash, MSPCA adoption center associate director Anna Rafferty-Foré suspects it was no accident.

“Somebody felt that throwing this dog away like trash was the best way to get rid of a pet they no longer wanted—and that’s especially tragic when there are organizations, such as ours, that will always welcome an animal in need,” she said.

Oscar was not neutered at the time, nor was he microchipped, making it impossible to identify an owner.  After emergency treatment at Angell, he was held at Boston Animal Control for a mandatory seven-day stray animal hold, then brought back to the MSPCA’s adoption center, from which he can ultimately be placed into a new home.

“It’s always shocking to see this level of disregard for animals—in this case a dog that was literally thrown away like garbage,” said Rafferty-Foré.  “Oscar could easily have died in that dumpster and we’re relieved and grateful that he’s been saved.”

In addition to scheduling a neuter surgery, the adoption center team must address Oscar’s teeth, which are in terrible shape.  “Oscar has moderate to severe dental calculus [plaque] as well as gingivitis, so he’ll undergo a full dental cleaning here at the MSPCA before he’s adopted.”

Despite all he’s been through, the tiny pup seems well adjusted and loving.  “He’s definitely not overly nervous or shy around people—quite the opposite: he loves to be held and responds well to the attention we’ve been showering him with,” said Rafferty-Foré.

Oscar’s medical care has been paid for by Spike’ Fund, a dedicated fund that offsets the medical care for homeless animals in the MSPCA’s Boston adoption center.  Anyone that wishes to contribute to Oscar’s ongoing care, and animals like him, can do so by clicking here.

The MSPCA plans to place Oscar for adoption in the coming days and interested adopters are encouraged to visit him in person during operating hours or email adoption@mspca.org for more information.

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