NJ dog left in crate in below-freezing temps ready for adoption

A young dog is recovering and ready to be placed in a good home just days after being found in a crate on the side of the road in bitterly cold temperatures.

Animal control discovered the small, white dog, who has been named "Thumper," on Feb. 12 in Voorhees and brought her to the Voorhees Animal Orphanage. The shelter immediately contacted County Line and Heritage Veterinary Hospital in Marlton to provide medical attention for the abandoned and sickly animal.

"Sadly, this is one of the worst cases of neglect I have ever seen in over 15 years of experience in the veterinary field," Meg Artman, County Line and Heritage Veterinary Hospital's practice manager said in a Facebook post.

Dr. Bruce Weitzner, who owns the practice, immediately examined Thumper and began treating her for numerous medical conditions related to being abandoned for a long period of time and left in the subzero temperatures.

"Once in our care, we sedated her and immediately began working on removing the horrible mats covering her body," Artman said on Facebook. "The matting on her legs and feet was so severe that she actually could not walk and, in our opinion, looks like she hadn’t been using her legs in quite some time."

Once in their care, Artman said the veterinary staff spent time cleaning and shaving the dog and caring for her wounds.

"A couple long hours later and lots and lots of shaving, Thumper was a new dog," Artman said, adding that the vet believes the dog is only about 3 years old.

In addition, Dr. Weitzner noticed that Thumper also suffers from a genetic defect in her front, right leg that she says in similar to club foot.

"Good news though, she’s already starting to use it like a regular functioning leg," Artman said on Facebook.

Artman told NJ 101.5 that Thumper is recovering well since first being brought in by animal control. Dr. Marc Rosenberg, Weitzner's partner in the veterinary practice, has been checking on and treating thumper regularly and the doctors believe the dog is ready for adoption.

"Her life so far has been awful and she deserves a loving wonderful home." Artman said, adding that the practice provided all of the medical care for Thumper free of charge and her health has improved considerably.

"She's doing fantasic now," Artman told NJ 101.5. "She's walking and so happy now and she's like a new dog."

Anyone interested in being considered as a new, adoptive family for Thumper can contact County Line and Heritage Veterinary Hospital, 989, Rt. 73 South in Marlton, at 856-988-0022.

Toniann Antonelli is the digital managing editor for news at NJ 101.5. Reach her at toniann.antonelli@townsquaremedia.com, or on Twitter @ToniRadio1015.