Severely malnourished Great Dane recovering in Aledo

A Great Dane found last month in what a sheriff described as “starvation in its worst form” has gained weight and is recovering, a veterinarian said Tuesday.

Grace weighed almost 66 pounds this week, compared to 52 pounds when she was found abandoned Nov. 25 in Millsap in Parker County.

“She’s hungry a lot, but overall she’s very happy,” said Dr. Shelley Finger, who is caring for Grace at the Aledo Vet Clinic.

The dog, which will turn 2 Friday, has been treated for parasites and a slight case of diarrhea.

“Right now, I take her home with me and bring her back during the day,” Finger said.

She also is trying to house-train Grace before she is put up for adoption.

Deputies with the Parker County Sheriff’s Department located the dog’s owner, and an investigation continued Tuesday into how she came to be in such poor condition. No charges have been filed, and officials have not released a name.

Deputy Danie Huffman said the owner has signed over care of Grace to the veterinarian.

A Parker resident found the dog abandoned and wandering at Fairview Lane and White Bull Lane in Millsap and took her to a local veterinarian. She was identified by an embedded microchip, and her owner was identified several days later.

Parker County officials said Grace should have weighed 90-100 pounds.

“Grace’s state is deeply saddening,” Parker County Sheriff Larry Fowler said in a Nov. 25 news release. “She has been suffering for quite some time. It’s terrible to see an animal in this condition.”

Finger said Aledo Vet Clinic has received many cash donations for Grace’s medical care. She said residents also have donated a collar and leash.

Huffman said any donations that exceed Grace’s medical bills will go to the Parker County Sheriff’s Animal Cruelty Reward Fund.

This story was originally published December 9, 2014 at 5:20 PM with the headline "Severely malnourished Great Dane recovering in Aledo."