ASPCA: Brooklyn Man Accused Of Starving Pit Bull Arrested On Animal Cruelty Charge
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- A Brooklyn man accused of neglecting and starving his dog has been arrested on animal cruelty charges, the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals said Monday.
When the 3-year-old pit bull named Drew arrived at the ASPCA's Bergh Memorial Animal Hospital in December, he weighed just 37 pounds and couldn't stand up on his own.
His owner, Leedell Walker, claimed the dog wouldn't eat and relinquished him to the ASPCA, according to officials.
When he was brought in, veterinarians determined Drew was "near death, in a critical state of shock and anemic," officials said in a statement.
Vets performed surgery and discovered Drew had been eating garbage to stay alive and found pieces of towel, plastic and other garbage in his stomach.
But since his rescue, Drew has made a remarkable recovery, putting on nearly 30 pounds. He now weighs more than 65 pounds, a 76 percent increase in body weight.
On Monday, Walker was arrested and faces a charge of animal cruelty. If convicted, he faces up a year in jail.
Drew will soon be put up for adoption with a loving family.
For more information, visit www.aspca.org.
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