Malnourished dog found in Lorain when police break up weekend party

LORAIN, Ohio - While busting a party at a Lorain home over the weekend, officers find a severely malnourished Mastiff left in the garage without food or water.

Officers were called out to East 29th Street, near Broadway Avenue, following a noise complaint. Once there, officers found dozens of people under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs.

Authorities also found the extremely malnourished Mastiff in the garage, tied to a table with piles of garbage and feces surrounding it.

The animal had no food or water and was lying on trash with maggots and other insects infesting it. The dog had sores all over its body, inside its mouth and its collar was embedded in its neck.

Police said the homeowner abandoned the house, but let the son take it over. The son took off once police arrived. Authorities said the home had electricity, but no running water.

The officers took the dog to the Lorain Animal Emergency Clinic for treatment. There, officers learned the Mastiff was between 2 and 4 years old, and weighed 94 pounds. This particular breed should weigh 150 pounds.

A veterinarian said the dog had been without food and water for approximately one month and only survived by the bits of garbage it could reach from the trash bags in the garage.

Officers have asked the Lorain city prosecutor to review the case and issue a warrant for the dog owner's arrest on an animal cruelty charge.