11
Trenton, NJ — ODODIJ Rescue responded to an anonymous tip last Thursday after a passerby reported seeing a dog chained outside an abandoned property on South Broad Street. What the team found when they arrived raised immediate concerns of prolonged neglect and animal cruelty.
The dog — a Dalmatian mix, estimated to be between 3 and 5 years old — was secured by a heavy iron chain wrapped around his neck and fastened to a deteriorating wooden kennel in the rear of the property. The structure had partially collapsed and offered almost no protection from the elements.
His condition was severe.
Ribs, spine, and hipbones were visibly prominent beneath a thin layer of skin. His white coat, typically the defining feature of the breed, was stained with mud and marked by several open sores. No food or water was found within reach. Based on his physical state, veterinarians later estimated he had gone without adequate nutrition for several weeks.
He did not bark when rescuers approached. He simply looked up.
“That’s often the hardest part,” said ODODIJ field responder Chris Navarro. “When they’re that far gone, they stop reacting. They just watch you and wait.”
The surrounding area was littered with crushed cans, plastic bags, and scraps of fabric scattered across waterlogged ground. There was no indication that anyone had been present at the property recently. Neighbors told responders the dog had been there for some time, but assumed he belonged to someone.
The chain was removed on scene. The dog offered no resistance.
He was transported immediately to an emergency veterinary facility, where he was treated for severe malnutrition, dehydration, and multiple skin infections. Staff named him Domino. As of this writing, he is stable, eating small regulated meals, and responding well to basic human interaction.
Trenton Animal Control has been notified and an investigation into the circumstances of his abandonment is ongoing. ODODIJ Rescue has filed a formal neglect report with local authorities.
“Whoever left him there made a choice,” Navarro said. “We made a different one.”
Domino is not yet available for adoption while he continues medical treatment. ODODIJ Rescue is accepting donations to offset his ongoing care costs. Updates will be shared regularly on their Facebook page and official website.
