She was found wandering on a road in Carbon County, Pennsylvania. Nobody knew her name. Nobody came forward to claim her.
Rescue workers say she is the worst case they have ever seen.
What They Found on Dinkey Road
Gloria Scheetz, founder of Starting Over Animal Rescue in Schuylkill County, got the call Wednesday afternoon about an emaciated German Shepherd found near Lehighton.
What they found was a 2-year-old dog that rescue workers believe had been neglected for months. They named her Sally.
What Sally’s Condition Told Them
Scheetz described what the dog looked like when she arrived.
As WNEP reported on Sally’s rescue, Scheetz said: “She was full of feces. Her tail, it was encrusted, so she was either in a cage for many weeks or in a kennel.”
Scheetz immediately directed the people who found Sally to Rush Veterinary Center in Tamaqua. Starting Over Animal Rescue is covering all medical costs through community donations.
Sally is not the first dog found near death in Pennsylvania this year. Rocky, a Philadelphia dog found in a trash bag, survived weeks of critical care funded by community support the same kind of response saving Sally now.
Despite everything, Sally was friendly when found.
What Happens Next for Sally
SOAR is working to identify who was responsible for Sally’s condition and plans to pursue charges.
Once Sally makes a full recovery, she will go to a SOAR foster home while she waits for her permanent family.
Dogs that survive neglect like this can still find good lives. Loretta, a Phoenix dog rescued from severe neglect, spent nearly a year recovering before she was ready for her forever home. Sally’s road will be long, but it is the same road.
What Scheetz Wants Pet Owners to Know
Scheetz made a point of addressing people who are struggling to care for their pets. SOAR is available to help owners find resources for food or medical care before a dog ends up in Sally’s situation.
The message was direct: reach out before it reaches this point. There are options. Sally did not have to end up on a road.
Why This Matters
Animal neglect cases that result in a dog reaching this condition almost always involve a period where help was possible and did not come.
According to the Humane Society’s animal cruelty facts and statistics, animal cruelty is one of the most underreported crimes in the country. Pennsylvania law classifies severe neglect resulting in serious injury as a felony under the Dog Law and the Crimes Code.
Neglect cases are not always obvious from the outside. When Pierce County seized 17 animals from an unlicensed rescue, the people running it believed they were helping. Sally’s case is different, but the outcome for the animals is the same.
SOAR is not waiting for someone to come forward. They are looking for who did this.
Key Takeaways
- Sally, a 2-year-old German Shepherd, was found severely emaciated on Dinkey Road near Lehighton in Carbon County.
- Starting Over Animal Rescue founder Gloria Scheetz called it the worst case she has ever seen.
- Rescue workers believe she was confined in a cage or kennel for many weeks without care.
- She is receiving treatment at Rush Veterinary Center in Tamaqua, funded by community donations.
- SOAR is pursuing charges and will place Sally in a foster home after recovery.
She Was Still Friendly When They Found Her
That is the part that stays with you. Whatever happened to Sally, whatever she went through, she was still friendly when strangers picked her up off a road in Carbon County.
Have you ever found an animal in serious condition and not known what to do first? Tell me in the comments, and follow Furry Found on X and our Facebook page for more stories like this.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only. No charges have been filed as of the time of publication. Details are based on public reports and may change.