A 10-year-old husky found abused in Georgia is recovering in New Jersey thanks to a husky rescue group.

The dog, named Ned by his rescuers, was reportedly kept locked in a basement for five years with virtually no human contact.

He lost a lot of his fur due to a flea infestation and was badly malnourished.

"He was basically starved and living in a rat-invested basement," says Lorraine Healy, of Matawan-based Husky House. "He had no good food or clean water and no medical care. The fleas were just basically eating him alive."

Healy expects the dog will regain most of the last fur. He has been put on steroids and antibiotics and is expected to recover.

He will be put up for adoption once he is healthy again.