New Jersey

Abandoned Dog Found Buried Up to Neck in Mud Dies at Shelter

An abandoned dog that was rescued after being found buried up to its neck in mud has died at a New Jersey shelter. 

The dog named Mabel was taken in by the Associated Humane Society on Aug. 4, after a good Samaritan found her in a swamp in a wooded area notorious as a dump site for people abandoning animals, shelter officials said. 

The elderly pup was in poor health, suffering from a severe urinary tract infection and conjunctivitis, when she was taken to the Popcorn Park Shelter in Forked River. The group had posted a video of Mabel on its Facebook page a week after taking her in, saying it was shocked she hadn't died in her sleep within the first few days of her rescue.

Despite her health issues, she appeared to be improving, the group said. It's not clear how Mabel got into the swamp, but the shelter says it's highly unlikely she wandered off on her own. 

"We'll never know who did this to Mabel or why," the group said in the Facebook post. 

An investigation is ongoing. It wasn't immediately clear when Mabel died, but NJ.com reported Tuesday she died at the shelter. 

In a statement, the Associated Humane Society thanked the public for their outpouring of support. The shelter said Mabel's story was "humbling." Staffers said they considered themselves lucky for the opportunity to show the dog love and compassion.

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Copyright AP - Associated Press
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