STRATTANVILLE, Pa. (EYT) – Clarion PUPS is working to help a dog that a Sligo couple failed to provide proper veterinary care.

Clarion PUPS, located at 483 Pine Street in Strattanville, is working to nurse a dog back to health that was near death when they gained custody on Friday, October 13.

Leonore Smathers, director of Clarion PUPS, said she received a call from New Bethlehem Police Sergeant Nicole Peck last week about the severely emaciated dog.

When Smathers, Peck, and a local veterinarian checked on Esmerelda and had her examined, she was found to have whipworms, which is a stomach parasite.

According to vcahospitals.com, whipworms are intestinal parasites that are about 1/4 inch long. They live in the cecum and colon (large intestine) of dogs where they cause severe irritation to the lining of those organs.

Whipworm infection results in watery, bloody diarrhea, weight loss, and general debilitation. They are one of the most pathogenic worms found in dogs.

“It was stunning to see Esmerelda this way. The girlfriend of the owner was in tears over this, and she took the dog with us to the vet,” Smathers said. “While we believe the dog wasn’t being starved intentionally, withholding veterinary care produced the same skeletal results. Sergeant Peck drove to the county jail (where the man is lodged on unrelated charges) to have the man sign over possession of the dog to us.”

“Right now, I’m amazed at how well she’s doing. She is still weak and rundown, and I’m not yet convinced that she’s out of the woods, but every day I believe more that she will make it.”

Smathers said the dog, which appears to be some kind of hound, is very sweet and has been eating scrambled eggs, plain yogurt, and goat milk.

Esmerelda is also taking medicine to cure the whipworms.

New Bethlehem Police said one count of animal cruelty was filed Monday against Laura Wensel, of Sligo, who is the girlfriend of the dog owner.

The name of dog owner has not been released. He has been in jail since October 4 on unrelated charges, and the dog was neglected during that period.

Specific circumstances concerning the incident are unclear as it is an active investigation.

For those who would like to help Clarion PUPS, they are a 501c3 non-profit organization and donations are tax deductible.

They can be reached on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/ClarionPups/, on their website at clarionpups.com, or at 814-764-5580.

Clarion PUPS’ mailing address is P.O. Box 51, Strattanville, PA 16258.