A Port Orange woman has been arrested for abandoning a severely malnourished and emaciated dog near New Smyrna Beach, police said.
The brown-and-white, severely malnourished, neutered female dog in extremely poor health was found on February 9 in the 200 block of Inwood Avenue, according to police.
Police said they found the dog after a photo of 19-year-old Arriana Washington was posted on social media on Feb. 13 and witnesses came forward.
Ariana Washington was arrested by New Smyrna Beach police and charged with felony animal cruelty. Police said she abandoned a malnourished, emaciated dog in the city.
Washington was charged with felony animal cruelty and is currently out of the Volusia County Jail on $10,000 bond.
New Smyrna police say the dog’s ribs, hips and spine were clearly visible
Police responded that the dog was in extremely poor physical condition, with ribs, hips and spine clearly visible and significant muscle loss.
The dog was taken to the Edgewater Animal Shelter for emergency veterinary care, police said.
Washington was initially unable to be found, police said. On February 10, New Smyrna Beach police posted a photo of the dog on social media asking for information, and a person familiar with the dog and its owner confirmed Washington’s identity.
Witnesses reported chronic neglect, including dogs being confined indoors, not being walked, urinating and defecating in living spaces, and lacking proper food, water and care, according to police.
The dog, now named Oliver by Edgewater Animal Shelter staff, is recovering well, police said.
She has gained about six pounds since arriving at the shelter and continues to improve steadily under the supervision of a veterinarian, police said.
This article originally appeared in the Daytona Beach News-Journal: Port Orange woman arrested for abandoning dog in New Smyrna