PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — A severely malnourished dog discovered walking along the street in North Philadelphia earlier this week is recovering in an animal hospital. As law enforcement officials investigate, funds are being raised for the dog’s medical bills.
Danny Nogowski of Northeast Philadelphia was driving his beverage truck on Fox Street near Roberts Avenue in North Philadelphia on Wednesday morning when he came across a dog that was all by himself and appeared to be in trouble.
“I just saw his head facing down, looking down like, sad. As I pulled up to him, then I noticed how frail he was,” said Nogowski.
The Great Dane mix was emaciated, so Nogowski called his friend, who worked at an animal rescue. She in turn called the Philly Bully Team.
“It looked like a skeleton, like a Halloween decoration, walking down the street. It was horrible,” said Marvin Graaf, co-founder of the Philly Bully Team. “He was just so unbelievably skinny. Honestly, I didn’t know how the dog was alive.”
Graaf was able to put a slip lead on the dog and take him to an animal hospital for treatment.
Meanwhile, a witness has stepped forward claiming to have seen someone push the dog, George, out of a vehicle and provided a description to authorities.
“Working with the district attorney’s office, we were able to obtain owner and registration information for that vehicle and are continuing to investigate the case based on that identifying information,”said Nicole Wilson, the director of humane law enforcement and shelter services for the Pennsylvania SPCA.
“The silver lining is that because somebody came forward, now, this won’t happen to another animal in that home. So we will be able to move forward and be able to address what this individual or individuals did,“ said Wilson.
Funds are being raised for George’s medical costs and a foster home will be needed as he waits to be adopted.
“Any and all donations are very much appreciated,” said Graaf.