L.I. Man Charged After Dog Is Found Nearly Starved To Death

SAYVILLE, N.Y. (CBSNewYork) -- The Suffolk County Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals has pressed charges against a Coram man, after his dog was discovered nearly starved to death in an apartment.

Michael Faulkner was charged with animal cruelty after Queenie, a Cane Corso was found by the group Guardians of Rescue. Vets said she was severely emaciated.

"As far as I know, she's been starved for at least three weeks. She's the worst case I've ever seen," Dr. Mark Caporaso told 1010 WINS' Mona Rivera. "She's also in renal failure, probably because she was starved."

Caporaso called Queenie "basically a skeleton."

Queenie was allegedly locked in a room by a spiteful ex-husband, Guardians of Rescue said on its Facebook page. The dog was then discovered by the ex-wife when she came home to get a few things, the group said.

"She laid alone just dying," said Robert Misseri with Guardians of Rescue. "Literally, her body was just giving away and she's fighting for her life now."

Suffolk County SPCA Det. Paul Llobell said Queenie was rescued just in time.

"This dog is lucky," he said. "Indications from the doctor is that the dog was near death. Maybe a day or two before the dog would expire."

Caporaso said Queenie has lost about half her body weight, but is now receiving food, water and much-needed care. A video posted to Guardians of Rescue's Facebook page on Sunday shows Queenie standing up and eating food.

"She couldn't even walk when she came in," Caporaso said. "She's already made a remarkable recovery."

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