- New Jersey, USA -
On January 15, 2024, three officers with the Haledon Police Department responded to a home on Southside Avenue to investigate a report about a dog who had been left outside for an extended period of time in below freezing temperatures.
The officers, whom I want to describe as angels on earth, found a gray female Pitbull “collapsed on the ground, severely emaciated and exhibiting signs of frostbite and hypothermia.”
They took immediate action and rushed the Voiceless Victim to an animal hospital “with lights and sirens on.”
The nonprofit Jersey Pits Rescue is caring for the dog whom they named Elsa.
In a first Facebook post, the nonprofit shared that Elsa had been admitted to an emergency hospital and said: “Elsa is gasping for air and struggling to breathe. We are going to give this little girl everything we’ve got.”
A few hours later, Jersey Pits Rescue published an update on Elsa’s condition and part of it read: “Elsa is as critical as it gets. Upon admission she is suffering from hypothermia, her temperature too low to register. Her blood pressure and her protein levels are also dangerously low. All of her labs are coming back consistent with gross neglect, starvation, abuse, and utter disregard for a living being. Right now her team of compassionate doctors are working tirelessly to get this little girl stable. She is currently on IV fluids, oxygen, heat, and anti nausea medication to prevent vomiting. When the time is appropriate, they will be taking x-rays to rule out any possible foreign bodies or blockages, which would need to be surgically removed. Bloodwork will be repeated constantly and vitals will be monitored continuously. Since being admitted, Elsa has started to make a few very small movements as her frozen body is warming. This is going to be a long, exhausting night and everything is incredibly touch and go. The main focus for tonight is just to get her stable. We are hopeful that our brave Elsa will make it through tonight and live to see much better days ahead.”
Corporal April Latona, the Haledon Police Department's Humane (Animal Cruelty) Law Enforcement Officer, assumed the investigation of this case assisted by the Passaic County Prosecutor's Office. The probe identified 31-years-old JOHANNA MARIE LAROSA and 30-years-old DEVON JOHNSON as Elsa’s guardians. Both filths have been charged with 3rd degree animal cruelty but have not been arrested.
In a subsequent pupdate on Elsa, Jersey Pits Rescue advised: “We are so happy to share that our strong girl made it through the night and things are moving in the right direction. Her kidney values and elevated so she is being closely monitored to ensure no kidney damage. Her protein levels are still very low which aligns with malnutrition and starvation. Elsa passed a black colored stool today, so she is also being monitored for any internal bleeding. Elsa is eating on her own and is on a strict eating schedule so that she does not run the risk of refeed syndrome. She does have frostbite on her paws from being left in the cold for who knows how long. Her vitals are stabilizing and she has been showing some more movement as time is going on! Her spirit and her heart are definitely broken. She has every right to feel the way she feels. With time, we will make sure her heart makes a full recovery as well.”
Haledon Police Chief Angelo Daniele expressed gratitude to Jersey Pits Rescue for their support and praised the swift and decisive action of the officers, acknowledging that their intervention saved Elsa’s precious life. The Haledon Police Department strongly encourages all community members to report any instances of animal cruelty or negligence, emphasizing a clear stance of zero tolerance towards such behavior.
If you wish and can afford to donate toward Elsa’s medical care, please click here. Thank you!
Voice For Us Disclaimer: This story is sourced from official news outlets. Links included.
Details may be removed or additional information may be provided in future should such sources report an update.
Elsa’s pictures shared from Jersey Pits Rescue Facebook posts.
#crueldadanimal #animalslivesmatter #law #lawmakers #prosecutors #Judges #dogs #deathpenaltyforanimalabusers #cruauteanimale #tierqualerei #EverythingForElsa
