Greensboro, NC -- An Irish Setter found abandoned and emaciated on Phillips Avenue last month has died.
The Guilford County Animal Shelter's executive director, Marsha Williams, said the dog had an infection and wasn't able to recover -- even with the help of antibiotics.
A man found the dog in late August as it was laying right on Phillips Avenue. He thought she had been hit by a car. Instead, she was so malnourished that she was too weak to even stand up.
The dog was so starved and covered in fleas, workers at the animal shelter initially feared she wouldn't survive. After a few days of treatment, the dog -- nicknamed Vera -- began to develop an appetite and showed signs of recovery. But some recent blood work revealed the infection.
"It's just devastating," Williams said last month as workers tried to save Vera.
Williams said the dog was wearing a flea collar when it was rescued, and even a tattered little coat, which showed someone loved her at some point.
However, Williams said she is unfortunately like other animals that end up at the shelter every day.
"When you see that you can't afford to take care of your animal, as much as you love it, it may be best to call a rescue organization, re-home it, bring it to the shelter, before it gets into the condition where it's suffering and it may not be able to be saved," Williams said in August.
Even if you're not in a position to adopt a pet, Williams said there are still ways you can help. If you see an animal being neglected -- whether it's your neighbor's pet or just an animal you see on the street -- call animal control, she said. You can also help by donating to
Susie's Fund, which aids animals that have been neglected.
WFMY News 2