A Port Orange woman was arrested for abandoning a severely malnourished and emaciated dog in a New Smyrna Beach neighborhood, police said.
The severely malnourished tan and white, spayed female dog in very poor health, was found on February 9 in the 200 block of Inwood Avenue, according to police.
On Feb. 13, Arriana Washington, 19, was located after police posted a picture of the dog on social media, and witnesses came forward, police said.
Washington, charged with felony animal cruelty, was out of the Volusia County Branch Jail on $10,000 bail.
New Smyrna police said dog’s ribs, hips and spine visible
Responding officers said the dog, in extremely poor physical condition, had visible ribs, hips, and spine, and significant muscle loss.
The dog was taken to the Edgewater Animal Shelter for emergency veterinary care, police said.
Washington could not initially be found and on Feb. 10, New Smyrna Beach police posted a picture of the dog on social media asking for information and individuals familiar with the dog and its owner identified Washington, police said.
Witnesses reported long‑term neglect, including the dog being confined indoors, not walked, urinating and defecating inside living spaces, and lacking proper food, water, and care, according to police.
The dog, now named Olive, by the staff of the Edgewater Animal Shelter is recovering well, police said.
She has gained approximately six pounds since her arrival at the shelter and continues to show steady improvement under veterinary supervision, police said.
This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: Port Orange woman left emaciated dog in New Smyrna street, cops say
Reporting by Patricio G. Balona, Daytona Beach News-Journal / The Daytona Beach News-Journal
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
