WARNING: The video in this story contains material of animal neglect that may be upsetting to viewers. Discretion is advised.
OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) — Oklahoma County Sheriff's Deputies rescued a dog authorities say was on the verge of starving to death after her owner abandoned her and his apartment.
The incident happened Tuesday, and the sheriff's office shared video of one of the responding deputies body cameras.
In the video, you see deputies enter the apartment and stumble across the clearly emaciated dog. The dog appears to be nervous as one deputy pets and talks with her to calm her down. The deputy then offers the dog a treat.
"There was no food left for her," said Aaron Brilbeck, with the Oklahoma County Sheriff's Office. "There was a bowl with filthy water that she had been drinking out of."
Brilbeck said the dogs owner was being evicted for not paying his rent and was nowhere to be found. Her owner also abandoned most of what he owned.
News 4 asked Brilbeck how long deputies and animal welfare investigators believe the dog had been by herself.
"Probably a week or better, that she'd been there by herself with no food," said Brilbeck.
The body camera video shows reaction from spectators as deputies bring the dog outside to be fed and walked. In the video, you can hear gasps from bystanders.
"Oh my God, that is horrible," says one bystander.
Brilbeck said the call was especially tough and emotional for one of the deputies. He said that deputy was a former animal control officer.
"It just, it tore him apart," said Brilbeck.
Brilbeck said the incident doesn't showcase a sense of love or appreciation for the animal or her well-being. He says Oklahoma City Animal Welfare is in the early stages of determining if the amount of starvation and dehydration she's experienced is survivable.
"It's animal abuse," said Brilbeck. "I would assume that charges will be filed, that would be up to Oklahoma City because it took place in Oklahoma City."
Brilbeck said, with Christmas just a few weeks away, it's important to note that having an animal is a big responsibility. He says Oklahomans should not adopt one of them without understanding the amount of care they require to take care of.
"If you don't have the money for rent, you probably don't have the money for a dog, and if you don't have the time to commit towards raising a dog properly, taking the dog out for walks, please don't get a dog."
Brilbeck says deputies are aware of where the dog's owner is and that they often deal with a little over a dozen animal abandonment calls every month.
No arrests have been made.
