Neglected Chatham County dog making 'remarkable' recovery one month after rescue, deputies say

A dog found in horrible condition during a welfare check in Chatham County is making an extraordinary recovery. 

On May 7, Chatham County deputies responded to a home in northern Chatham County, where they found a resident dead inside the home and three dogs in poor condition.

According to the Chatham County Sheriff’s Office, one of the dogs, a cocker spaniel, was found inside a closed closet.

The Chatham Sheriff’s Animal Resource Center took the dog to Longleaf Animal Rescue in Hillsborough for treatment, deputies said.

“This is the worst neglect case we have ever seen,” Mary Lucas, the founder of Longleaf Animal Rescue, said. 

Due to not knowing the dog’s previous name, Lucas gave the dog the name “Mr. Pickles.” 

Chatham County Department of Social Services personnel and the Chatham County Sheriff’s Office investigators attempted to locate family members who could take the dog, but were not able to.

Mr. Pickles was later transported to VEG ER for Pets in Chapel Hill where staff worked for about five hours to remove roughly 12 pounds of matted fur from his body. A heavily soiled protective cone that was still on the dog after a previous surgery was also removed, the Chatham County Sheriff’s Office said.

Lucas believed Mr. Pickles was about six years old and most likely suffered years of neglect.

According to his rescuers, when he first arrived, he didn’t like being handled and would thrash and growl, but after several days, he became more comfortable being around people.

“Seeing a dog like Mr. Pickles begin to come out of his shell after everything he’s endured really says a lot about the resilience animals have,” said Kate Reardon, program coordinator for the Chatham Sheriff’s Animal Resource Center. “That ability to bounce back is remarkable.”

Rescuers spent a lot of time with Mr. Pickles.

“For about a week, I just sat quietly with him and let him get to know me,” Lucas said. “It was a very emotional week. 

Lucas said Mr. Pickles had a big turnaround and is now “the fastest tail-wagger." 

Shortly after being rescued, Mr. Pickles had a full examination while sedated. During the exam, veterinarians treated him for a severe ear infection, performed a full ear cleanout, removed a sizable tumor from one ear, where he received 10 stitches, and collected biopsies from additional growths believed likely to be cysts.

Mr. Pickles will likely deal with long-lasting ear problems, but veterinarians are hopeful that his skin issues will improve with treatment, Lucas said.

As for Mr. Pickles’ forever home, Lucas is optimistic.

“We’re hopeful he will be adoptable,” Lucas said.