COEUR D'ALENE, Idaho — A water leak is being credited with saving the lives of two dogs left in a garbage-filled Coeur d'Alene house.
“Their only water source was a leaking toilet,” said Kristina Jensen, dog technician at Companions Animal Center. “That's probably why they’re still alive is because of that leaking toilet.”
The dogs, a young Great Dane/boxer mix and a 10-year-old pit bull mix, are believed to have survived in the home for about a month before they were rescued.
Jensen said the dogs were very thin and malnourished when they arrived at the shelter about 10 days ago.
The larger one named Bessie weighed about 50 pounds, but for her size should have been around 80 pounds, Jensen said. The smaller one, Addy, weighed about 35 pounds and should have been about 50.
Jensen said the dogs endured difficult conditions, as temperatures were in the 90s on several days they were trapped in the filthy home. Their only food was leftovers and trash scattered throughout the home. The home was also filled with animal waste, creating a strong stench, and the dogs were caked in mud and waste.
“It was amazing how bad it was," said Vicky Nelson, CAC development director. “I mean, we’ve seen awful.”
It's believed the dogs were left alone for more than a month because of a date found on a delivered package outside the home.
“It’s amazing they survived,” Nelson said Thursday.
The dogs are improving. Addy remains skittish but is starting to open up more, Jensen said. Ironically, Addy was adopted at the shelter about 10 years ago.
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