Animal cruelty officers from the Syracuse Police were sent to Delaware Street in Syracuse, New York, after a report came in about a dog confined in a basement. What sounded like a simple welfare check changed instantly once they stepped inside.
Downstairs, they discovered a German Shepherd left tied up and alone, hidden away from view. The condition of the animal stunned even experienced officers.
The dog, later given the name Hope, was severely underweight and so weak she could hardly raise her head. She lay still on the dirt-covered floor, her body fragile and barely holding on, as if every ounce of strength had already been spent.
A Desperate Fight To Survive
Hope was only two years old when she was left in the darkness of the basement. Hungry, terrified, and alone, she barked endlessly in hopes that someone would hear her cries.
According to the Animal Alliance of Greater Syracuse, when a maintenance worker asked the owner about the dog’s whereabouts, she responded, “Gee, I don’t know – she hasn’t barked for a while.”
It is hard to comprehend how someone could ignore an animal in such a state, especially while hearing signs of distress. The neglect was shocking.
Jacqui Foss, President of the Board at the Animal Alliance of Greater Syracuse, described the gravity of the situation:
“She was actually said to be probably within a couple of hours of passing away, so the police were able to get to her just in time and get her directly to the Veterinary Medical Center.”
At the Veterinary Medical Center of CNY, doctors immediately began evaluating her. Her body score was recorded at 0.5 out of 9, almost the lowest possible rating for body condition.
A Critical Turning Point
Hope’s condition was so severe that the veterinary team questioned whether she could pull through. Euthanasia was even discussed as a possible act of mercy.
She had gone blind from extreme malnutrition and weighed only about 40 pounds, nearly half of what a healthy German Shepherd should weigh. Soon after arriving at the clinic, she went into cardiac arrest. The staff worked quickly and managed to revive her.
Despite the odds, Hope still had the will to live. The veterinary team recognized her strength and committed themselves to giving her every possible chance.
Further examinations revealed the heartbreaking truth about how she survived. Hope had been eating gravel and dirt from the basement floor in a desperate attempt to keep herself alive.
As the days passed, she began to show faint signs of improvement. Her weight slowly increased, first to 43 pounds, then to 45, and eventually to 48. Each gain reflected the effort and dedication of the people fighting for her.
Hope’s Long Path To Healing
Although her recovery would not be quick, her progress offered reassurance that she was finally moving in the right direction.
Maureen Davidson of HumaneCNY explained to CNYCENTRAL that Hope still required detailed care but was finally safe:
“She went right to an amazing foster home after she was released. The re-feeding schedule is pretty intense, so she has to be fed very slowly over the course of the day. She is just starting to work up to more food for weight gain.”
Support poured in from the community. The “Healing Hearts for Hope” fundraiser, led by the Animal Alliance of Greater Syracuse, raised more than $15,000 to help with medical costs.
“As the old saying goes, and it couldn’t be more true, IT TAKES A VILLAGE, and this is such an amazing ‘village’ to be a part of,” the Animal Alliance shared on Facebook.
The Syracuse Police Department later announced on Facebook that following a lengthy investigation, Hope’s former owner, Hortence Ngarissona, had been arrested. She now faces two animal cruelty charges and was released on an appearance ticket.
Although the legal consequences cannot undo what Hope endured, her story highlights the importance of speaking up when an animal is suffering.
Maureen Davidson expressed a vital message:
“If you see something, say something. If you know of an animal that is suffering, that is not fed, outside all day, looking very skinny or sick, just say something, call somebody.”
Hope’s survival reflects her incredible determination and the compassion of the people who refused to ignore her suffering. Thanks to her rescuers, her foster family, and an entire community rallying behind her, she finally has a chance to build the life she was denied for so long.