Striker faces 'long road to recovery' after rescue from Barrington home

Striker's ribs were protruding from his skin and he was severely dehydrated. (NHSPCA photo)

BARRINGTON - The New Hampshire SPCA assisted the Barrington Police Department in the removal of a severely neglected dog from a resident's home on Wednesday. The dog is now in the care and custody of the New Hampshire SPCA in Stratham and expected to recover.

"Responding to calls about cruelty or neglect is what I'm used to," said Tona McCarthy, cruelty investigator for the NHSPCA. "This was a particularly severe case involving just a truly sweet older dog. It's always difficult, but this one really hit me."

The NHSPCA was called by a concerned community member reporting what appeared to be an extremely skinny dog. Upon follow-up, we discovered Striker, a sweet 10-year-old mixed breed dog was living in squalid conditions with dog waste all over the floors. The dog's ribs were easily visible through his skin, hips protruding, eye sunken. The dog's owner voluntarily surrendered Striker realizing that he could be living a better life.

Upon arrival at the NHSPCA, Striker was able to eat and drink and seemed genuinely grateful for the care he was already receiving. The veterinary exam showed a body scale score of 1 on a scale of 1-8. He is emaciated and dehydrated. He is also suffering apparent injury or infection in his ears, and what appears to be an untreated abscess in his mouth. Striker has been in need of veterinary care for some time but has received none.

"Striker will have a fairly long road to recovery," said Lisa Dennison, Executive Director of the New Hampshire SPCA. "We will be feeding him four times a day, providing medical treatment and helping to ensure that he carefully regains the weight that he needs. He is a very lucky dog to have been rescued before it was too late. We are so grateful for the person who called to let us know that he needed help and that the Barrington Police acted quickly and in the best interest of the dog."

The New Hampshire SPCA is asking for the community's assistance in caring for Striker and all victims of cruelty and neglect. If you would like to help with the cost of care and to help ensure recovery and happy endings, please make a tax-deductible contribution to the SOS FUND by going to https://www.classy.org/checkout/donation?eid=127496 . Gifts to the SOS Fund can also be made by phone at 603-772-2921 x 102 or by mail: New Hampshire SPCA, PO Box 196, Stratham, NH 03885.