Dog abandoned in Mesa rescued by foster group

A local animal rescue says their most recent dog is lucky to be alive.

He was found near death, wandering around east Mesa, with matted fur filled with ticks, and he had a severed hind leg with the bone sticking out.

Warning: The content in this story is graphic, and some of the images may be hard to look at.

If only dogs could talk, this one would have quite the story to tell.

"When we first got him, he had just been shaved down, he was a little bit nervous, incredible hungry," said Diana Lawson.

Diana Lawson is one of the many foster's for Medical Animals In Need. She's been tasked with helping little Pippin regain his strength.

"He looked just like a disgusting string mop, it took her 2.5 hours to shave him down, and to find out he is male, and obviously that he is missing a leg," said Lawson.

Pippin was found and brought to the animal shelter in bad shape. MAIN immediately picked him up and took him to the vet. He was covered in ticks, maggots, and his leg was mangled.

"There're four little bones sticking out here; it looks like a little lambchop," she said.

Vets say it is a miracle that Pippin survived, he was a high risk from bleeding out or getting an infection. Unfortunately, no one knows what happened to him.

"He's just skin and bones, he had to be abandoned for a while, but at some point I have to believe he belonged to somebody," said Lawson.

Once he's well enough vets will have to amputate his leg. In a few months, he will be up for adoption, ready for a second lease on life.

"It's incredible to me, he's so normal considering what he's been through," she said.

If you'd like more information on how to help Pippin and other dogs like him visit: http://medicalanimalsinneed.com/