BOSTON — Boston police announced the arrest of a woman who was wanted on animal cruelty charges in relation to what MSPCA-Angell officials described as the “worst case of intentional starvation they have ever seen.”
Lakeida Burris, 37, of Roxbury was charged in Roxbury District Court on Thursday with two counts of animal cruelty, said Suffolk District Attorney Kevin Hayden.
Jobee, a 3-year-old Pit Bull mix, who MSPCA said is lucky to be alive, and another dog Remy were spotted by Boston Police on July 4 when officers were called to Burris’s home on an unrelated matter.
Shortly after the officers responded to the home, Burris abandoned Jobee alongside a dumpster near her home. Both Jobee and Remy were later recovered by the MSPCA.
When Jobee arrived at the MSPCA, he weighed 24.5 pounds, which is about half of his healthy body weight.
“In my nearly three decades in animal welfare, I’ve never seen a dog so starved who was still alive,” said Director Mike Keiley. “[Jobee] was days—if not hours—away from death, so it’s nothing short of a miracle that he is still with us.”
Jobee suffered open wounds he suffered because of lost circulation to his extremities, and his tail had to be partially amputated due to necrosis.
The MSPCA said Jobee is closer to a healthy weight but still needs time before he will be ready to find his loving new home.
Hayden, a dog owner, praised the work of MSPCA officers and veterinarians in nursing Jobee back to health.
“I know how much joy our dog brings to our family, and how much love dogs bring to other families and how that love is returned. When we see cases like this it’s just a tragic reminder of how dependent dogs, and all other pets, are on the people who choose to bring them into their lives. It’s a responsibility that must be taken seriously,” Hayden said.
Burris was held on $1,500 bail and will return to court on September 13 for a probable cause hearing.
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