Emaciated Puppies Found at New Jersey Park

One of the puppies was standing over the other one, apparently trying to comfort and protect him, when they were found by officers

UPDATE: Starved Pup Dies Day After Rescue: Officials

Two severely emaciated dogs were found at a New Jersey park Monday morning, and authorities are looking for the person who apparently neglected, abused and dumped the puppies.

A jogger found the 6-month-old pit bull mixes at East Side Park in Paterson at about 5 a.m., according to officials. The pups should normally weigh about 50 pounds each, but they each barely hit 14 on the scale.

"This is an extreme, extreme case of neglect," said veterinarian Paul Sedlacek of the Animal Clinic of Morris Plains.

Animal control officials said it appears the young dogs had been starved for months and were likely days from death when they were dumped near the baseball fields.

When officers arrived, one of the dogs -- since named Bunny by hospital staff -- was seen standing over her litter mate, named Bugsy, apparently trying to comfort and protect him.

Bugsy still cannot stand, and vets are trying to help him recover. Both dogs are being fed, and hospital staff are working with Second Chance Pet Adoption to eventually find them a home.

"We see dogs running on the streets for a period of time that don't look this skinny," said Sedlacek. "I'm concerned, were they in someone's possession and not being fed before they were released?"

A $1,000 reward is being offered for information leading to who abused them.

"There's no such thing as bad animals in the world. There's bad people that allow it to happen," said John DeCando of Paterson Animal Control. "This has got to stop."

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