ST. ALBANS, Vt. (WCAX) – A young rottweiler from St. Albans is recovering well after a severe case of animal neglect rocked his community.
“He was scored on a body condition score, one out of nine, which is the final stage of starvation for a dog. So he was basically saved in just the nick of time,” said Heather Bent of Potter’s Angels Rescue.
Police say the 1-and-a-half-year-old rottweiler named Hank had lost 77 pounds after he was allegedly abandoned by his owner, Kyle Gratton, 34, of St. Albans. They say Hank was left in an apartment for several weeks without heat, food or running water. He was just 53 pounds when he was found.
Now, Gratton faces animal cruelty charges.
Potter’s Angels Rescue is the organization that took in Hank and nursed him back to health and is now preparing him to find his forever home.
“He made it through the toughest part of his recovery. The first weekend was really, really difficult for him. He was very exhausted, very weak. Now he is doing great, putting on weight. He has put on over 20 pounds at this point,” said Bent.
Unfortunately, the rescue says they’re seeing cases like Hank’s more frequently than ever before.
“Four or five cases this week alone, so very busy Christmas for us. Animals who are being left by people due to drug use,” said Bent.
Hank is heading home with an older couple in January.