Four Dogs Rescued After Being Found Starving, Abandoned On L.I.

PORT JEFFERSON, N.Y. (CBSNewYork) -- Four dogs are now recovering after being found starving and abandoned on Long Island.

The neglected pit bulls, one male and three females, were found left alone in outside kennels in Mastic, the animal rescue group Save-A-Pet said.

The dogs had been used for breeding and were abandoned when their owner left the state, the group said. The dogs, which were all severely malnourished, survived by eating melted snow.

"It was heartbreaking to discover these dogs in the situation we found them in," Dori Scofield, founder and president of Save-A-Pet, said in a statement. "Even though they were imprisoned in filthy conditions, starving and riddled with sores, they greeted us with wagging tails."

The dogs were taken to Save-A-Pet and are now being treated for a number of health issues, including internal parasites and external sores.

All of the dogs are less than 3 years old and have been named Blarney, Clover, Shamrock and Patty in honor of St. Patrick's Day, the group said.

"Luck shone down on these dogs by helping us find and rescue them," Scofield said. "But if you ask me, I think we are the lucky ones. These are wonderful dogs that have touched our lives here at Save-A-Pet. They all deserve a forever home as soon as they receive a clean bill of health."

The dogs will be available for adoption once they finish their medical treatment. For more information or to make a donation, contact Save-A-Pet at 631.473.6333 or visit www.saveapetli.org.