Sick And Starving Dog Found On Street, But Rescuers Discover She Isn’t What She Seems

Meet Julia, the “dog” found wandering the streets of Los Angeles, who might not be as she appears.

Last week, a woman was walking in Los Angeles when she spotted what appeared to be a sick, injured dog. She contacted the California rescue group Hope for Paws and made them aware that the poor thing was “disoriented and clearly very sick.” However, Hope For Paws picked up on another note that stood out to them: her species.

The “dog” who has since been dubbed Julia was discovered to be a hybrid wolf. Basically, she’s a wolfdog who is part domestic dog that has been bred with one of four other Canis species.

And this poor creature was in some serious need of love:

“This poor girl was so swollen from infections,” said Hope for Paws founder Eldad Hagar. The ratty rope tied around her neck indicated she had a past owner, but it also shows that she wsa neglected to a criminal level, according to Hagar.

Naturally, Julia was wary of humans, but rescuer Lisa Chiarelli sat down near her and began to offer her treats — eventually gaining the hungry animal’s trust.

The situation was bad. Upon bringing Julia into the rescue center, they discovered she had scabs, inflammation, and overgrown nails, among other sores. The cleanup process took a long time but it was well worth it.

Now, the poor creature is experiencing some well-deserved love. She was sick to the point of starvation and while her return to health hasn’t been an easy road, it’s a promising one.

We’re grateful for organizations like this that care for sick and mistreated animals. If you’re grateful too, please spread the word and SHARE this story so we can work to end animal abuse.

[Featured Image Credit: Hope For Paws]