Emaciated, neglected dog found in Hopatcong

Animal control officers in Sussex County are trying to find the owners of an emaciated dog that was found roaming the streets. Hopatcong animal control officer Gianna DiMatteo says the dog, nicknamed

News 12 Staff

Dec 17, 2016, 6:20 AM

Updated 2,833 days ago

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Animal control officers in Sussex County are trying to find the owners of an emaciated dog that was found roaming the streets.
Hopatcong animal control officer Gianna DiMatteo says the dog, nicknamed Zeus, is believed to be 2 years old. DiMatteo says that Zeus shows signs of neglect and has a painful skin infection.
Zeus was found Wednesday wandering near Sutton Trail and DuPont Avenue in Hopatcong. DiMatteo says the dog has been neutered and microchipped, but the owners have not been found.
DiMatteo says that Zeus should have a full coat of fur, but is hairless now due to the infection. He is being given antibiotics and medicated baths.
"He has what we are thinking is mange. And the mange has turned into a secondary infection, which is going to be staph," she says. "From there we will treat it as a skin infection and hope everything heals up and grows in."
Zeus will be held at the Hopatcong Pound for the next seven days while he is treated. Once cleared by a veterinarian, he will be put up for adoption.
"He's got a great personality. He knows his manners," DiMatteo says. "I think he'd be easy to place in a home."
The pound is accepting donations to help pay for Zeus's treatment through a GoFundMe page.