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Before-And-After Photos Of Severely Neglected 11-Pound Shih Tzu With 4 Pounds Of Matted Hair


By

Jen Chung

Published Jul 25, 2014

Modified Jul 25, 2014


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Ziggy before his haircut

 

Suffolk County SPCA

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By

Jen Chung

Published Jul 25, 2014

Modified Jul 25, 2014


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A little Shih Tzu dog is learning how to walk again after he was found abandoned and in bad shape in a Long Island home.

According to Suffolk County SPCA chief Roy Gross, the dog was brought to the shelter last week with his hair severely matted, overgrown nails and a strong, offensive odor. The dog, now named Ziggy, was unable to walk because of his hair—the Babylon Animal Shelter's director said it was worse case of matting he'd ever seen—and Gross told WCBS 880, "The dog looked like an old mop."

It took three hours for staff to remove four pounds of hair from the 11-pound dog.

The dog was found in an empty Lindenhurst home and neighbors said the previous tenants didn't have a dog, leaving Gross to suspect Ziggy was abandoned there. There's a $2,000 reward offered for information leading to an arrest and conviction in the case; anyone with information is asked to call the Suffolk County SPCA at 631-382-7722.

Ziggy is undergoing physical therapy and will be up for adoption after he completes it.

Tagged

abandoned dog

animal abuse

dog

matted hair

shih tzu

Suffolk County SPCA


Jen Chung

Jen Chung is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.

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