One senior dog is still recovering after his rescue in Asbury Park, N.J., where he was left chained outside in freezing temperatures.
The Monmouth County SPCA, which named the dog Kristoff, shared the canine’s tragic story on Facebook on Dec. 24. The SPCA noted that Kristoff is deaf and arthritic and was found chained to a fence in temperatures around 20 degrees Fahrenheit.
Writing that Kristoff’s rescuers discovered the dog “frozen half to death,” the shelter shared that they are “so thankful” that someone called a cruelty hotline to report the suffering animal.
MCSPCA media manager Lindsay Senator tells PEOPLE that the organization’s humane law enforcement chief spoke to Kristoff’s owner. “She will be charged,” Senator adds.
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Monmouth County SPCA
Kristoff was rescued on Christmas Eve by the MCSPCA
As for Kristoff’s current condition, Senator shares that Kristoff is on the mend and hoping to be cleared for adoption soon.
“He’s doing really well,” she says. “We’re going through all the panels of blood work and radiography, so our veterinary team is just going over everything, making sure he’ll be healthy enough for adoption since he was kept outside for so long without any medical care.”
The senior dog is estimated to be around 10 years old.
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The shelter called Kristoff a “Christmas miracle” in its post and shared that he is now safe and warm and receiving “nutritious food and medical attention.” Santa Claus even visited the dog, bringing him a special holiday treat of chicken.
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Monmouth County SPCA
Kristoff gets chicken from Santa Claus at the Monmouth County SPCA
“We’re doing everything we can to keep Kristoff comfortable and will keep everyone updated on his progress,” the MCSPCA wrote.
The organization’s social media post about Kristoff features heartbreaking images of the conditions the dog was found in. In one photo, Kristoff is outside, surrounded by piles of excrement and a plastic doghouse. The dog appears thin in the images and is attached to a thick outdoor chain, preventing him from moving far from the fence.
The shelter affirmed that stories like Kristoff’s are “a testament to the good work” it does and asked for donations to help with the medical and labor costs associated with the various animals in its care. Donations to the MCSPCA made before Tuesday, Dec. 31, will be matched.
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