Help for ‘walking skeleton’ of puppy

23. Sep, 2009 0 Comments

ATTLEBORO – A puppy named “Willie” who was found “abandoned, abused and starving” on railroad tracks in Providence is getting some financial help with medical expenses from a city store.

Yankee Spirits, a liquor retailer based in Sturbridge with a store in South Attleboro, sent $1,000 to help the pooch, which is in critical condition at the Dighton Rehoboth Animal Hospital.

The dog was found by Rhode Island state workers Monday, who took him to the Rhode Island Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.

According to information on the RISPCA Web site, a doctor at the animal hospital said Willie’s survival is “questionable.”

Willie was emaciated, dehydrated, anemic and infested with fleas when he was found cowering on the tracks. A news release described him as “a walking skeleton.” The pitiful pup had ingested sand and foreign objects, which is typical of animals who are slowly starving, the press release said.

Recovery will be slow and take a lot of money, the RISPCA said.

Yankee Spirits has three stores altogether and its employees recently voted to allocate $15,000 to three animal shelters. The Willie donation is part of that effort to help needy animals, said company President Michael Cimini.

Anyone who wants to help pay for Willie’s medical expenses can make a donation to RISPCA’s Marvin Fund.

Checks should be made out to RISPCA Marvin Fund with “Willie” in the memo line and sent to RISPCA, 186 Amaral St., Riverside, R.I. 02915-2223.

Donations can be made online by going to the RISPCA Web site, www.rispca.com.

Willie’s story and updates on his condition are also available at the Web site.