Male Great Dane Succumbs to Illness; Female Still Improving
By DARLA M. YOUNGSCOOPERSTOWN
One of two badly emaciated Great Danes rescued by local law enforcement in the Town of Milford on September 3 has died following emergency surgery for gastric dilatation-volvulus at Upstate Veterinary Specialties in Latham, according to Susquehanna Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Executive Director Stacie Haynes.
The second dog is currently under the care of SQSPCA medical staff and is holding her own.
The dogs—Oscar, a male, estimated to be almost two years old, and Belle, a nine-month-old female—weighed just 54 pounds and 29.6 pounds respectively when seized by law enforcement. Their heads were wider than their hips; no body fat and every rib clearly visible. A healthy, full-grown male Great Dane should tip the scales between 140-175 pounds. A healthy female at nine months should weigh between 85-125 pounds. The body of a third dog was also found on the premises, in a state of advanced decomposition.
