Dog rescued after being found covered in wounds and maggots

NORTH PHILADELPHIA, Pa. (WTXF) - The Pennsylvania SPCA is searching for answers after a female pit bull-type dog was found abandoned on what appeared to be a fitted sheet in North Philadelphia on June 20.

Officials say the dog, now named Brownie, was found suffering from many open wounds and covered in maggots, seemingly left to die.

The Animal Care and Control Team transferred Brownie into the care of Pennsylvania SPCA to receive medical treatment.

After further investigation, officials found that the dog's multiple open wounds had become infected, and areas of Brownie's skin had begun to die. The necrotic skin led to Brownie be covered in maggots. The PSPCA's Shelter Hospital staff performed different procedures to clean Brownie's wounds and work to save her life.

Over the course of the next several days, Brownie's condition began to improve. She underwent surgery to remove dead skin on a large portion of her head, which included the removal of one of her ears. Officials say she will likely also lose skin and muscle around one of her elbows.

"When Brownie arrived at our Shelter Hospital, her condition was so poor, verging on sepsis, that we weren't sure she would survive," said Dr. JoEllen Bruinooge, PSPCA Shelter Hospital Veterinarian. "The maggots and dying, infected tissue, were just the tip of the iceberg - her body was starting to shut down. She required a blood transfusion because her blood counts dropped dangerously low, aggressive antibiotics and pain control, IV fluid support, and surgical intervention."

"As with all of our animals, we knew we would do everything we could to save her life, and her sweet demeanor is only further proof of the resiliency of dogs like her."

Information about how Brownie ended up abandoned in this condition is still being uncovered, and the PSPCA is asking for the help of anyone who may have any information about how she ended up in this terrible condition.

Anyone with information in this case should call the Pennsylvania SPCA's Cruelty Hotline at (866) 601-SPCA. Tips can be left anonymously.

Those interested in donating to Brownie's care can do so here: https://www.pspca.org/brownie