The dog was found tied to a porch of a Paterson home standing in feces and urine.
PATERSON - A severely emaciated four-month-old puppy who was rescued from a home in Paterson earlier this week is on the mend thanks to a local animal shelter and thousands of dollars in donations.
Workers from the city's department of animal control responded to complaints Sunday of a neglected dog in a yard with a foul smell, Kevin Shippy, executive director of the Ramapo-Bergen Animal Refuge, said.
When animal control workers approached, they found the puppy, who was barely more than a skeleton, wagging his tail at them. The puppy collapsed from the exertion, Shippy said. When an officer brought the dog into the home, he walked over to a toilet and drank all the water of the bowl before he could be stopped.
The animal had been living in feces and urine, and the owner admitted that he hadn't eaten in days.
Rescuers from the animal shelter responded to the home, where they named the pit bull-mix, Pax, for peace.
"Hopefully he has a peaceful future as the result of our intervention and rescue," Shippy said. "This was on the edge of concern that the animal was not going to make it."
The shelter immediately transferred Pax to Oradell Animal Hospital in Paramus. After the hospital estimated medical costs at about $4,500 the shelter started a GoFundMe page for Pax.
As of Thursday afternoon, more than $5,600 was raised in donations for the animal. Shippy said that does not include hundreds more from people mailing in donations with Pax's name on the envelope.
Pax spent two days at the hospital where he was on an IV receiving antibiotics and nutritional supplements. Besides suffering from starvation, rescuers discovered a severe skin infection along with other secondary skin infections, which are being treated.
Throughout his ordeal, Pax has been wagging his tail and happily greeting those around him.
Since returning to the animal shelter on the Tuesday, the happy-go-lucky puppy has gained three pounds. Still, he must have a medicated bath every two days and eat many small meals, Shippy said.
"He's expected to make a full recovery," Shippy said.
The amount of attention on Facebook over Pax has been tremendous, said Shippy. Comments on the social media page veered toward anger at the negligent owners, while others express wishes to adopt the animal.
Shippy said he was not aware of any pending charges against Pax's owners but said the shelter will fully cooperate and share their findings. A request for comment on charges against the owners was not immediately returned by the Paterson Police Thursday.
"It's going to be a little while before he can be adopted, we'll get some meat on the bones," Shippy said. "He's so loving."
Fausto Giovanny Pinto may be reached at fpinto@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @FGPreporting. Find NJ.com on Facebook.