The Most Touching Tribute to an Abused Dog Named Joshua (VIDEO)

On Jan. 22, 2014, Lexington, N.C., Animal Control Officer Sam Fritts responded to an animal welfare call from a concerned citizen. Calls like these are commonplace for animal control officers, however what Fritts found when he arrived at the local home was beyond belief.

Three dogs had been left outdoors in the freezing winter weather without proper protection from the elements. No food or water was in sight and their plastic dog houses were bare – no bedding or shavings provided for insulation. All three dogs were severely emaciated, and one, later named Joshua, had already died.

“[Joshua] was chained, nothing but fur and bones … he was … completely frozen,” reports Friends of the Shelter Davidson County in an intake update.

Joshua and the other two dogs, named Jasper and Jasmine, were taken to the Davidson County Animal Shelter. Jasper and Jasmine were immediately attended to, both suffering from starvation, fleas, and intestinal parasites. They will soon get spayed or neutered and Jasmine will receive treatment for her heartworms, as Ginger’s Fund, a program run by Friends of the Shelter Davidson County for victims of cruelty and neglect, reports.

Jasper and Jasmine will be saved, and hopefully live out the rest of their lives in peace, comfort, and happiness, yet their friend Joshua will never know the kind hands he arrived into. The best that could be done for him was a necropsy to determine how he died with the hope of finding enough evidence for prosecution.

According to Ginger’s Fund, Joshua’s necropsy report showed that he had suffered from dehydration and starvation, weighing just five pounds upon his death. The necropsy also revealed that his gall bladder was enlarged – an sign of starvation – and that his stomach was nearly empty except for two leaves.

Joshua’s heartbreaking story touched David Hendrickson, founder of ALovingGoodbye.org, so much that he put together a tribute video for the abused dog to tell his story in an effort to encourage people to be strong voices for animals like Joshua before it’s too late. Hit the play button on the video below to watch Hendrickson’s touching tribute.

If you are interested in helping Joshua’s friends, Jasper and Jasmine, donations can be made online via PayPal by clicking the “Donate” button on this page, or via postal mail to: Ginger’s Fund FOS-DCNC, PO Box 1036, Thomasville, NC 27361. Ginger’s Fund is also now accepting applications for the fostering and/or adoption of Jasper and Jasmine. If interested, please email: GingersFund@live.com.

Image source: The Hendrickson Post