The Richmond SPCA in Virginia has described it as one of the most heartbreaking cases of neglect they've ever encountered. A dog named Lionheart, who had been kept under a bed for two years, was in such poor condition that he could barely walk or eat when he was surrendered to them three months ago.
"The owner told us Lionheart had been living under a bed for two years, and they had only been sliding food under the bed," shared Robin Robertson Starr, CEO of the Richmond SPCA. "He had been deprived of human interaction and affection for a significant amount of time."
Lionheart, a 7-year-old poodle, was so severely matted that his fur prevented him from eating, drinking, or even walking properly. His condition was dire, with severe periodontal disease and a body infested with parasites.
The SPCA team and veterinarians immediately jumped into action to help Lionheart. It took several hours to carefully remove the pounds of matted fur tangled around his body. Despite the challenges, Lionheart’s sweet personality began to shine through as he received the care and attention he'd been deprived of for so long.
After being surrendered in April, it took months of rehabilitation and love before Lionheart was ready for adoption. Finally, in July, the Richmond SPCA joyfully announced that Lionheart had found his forever home. Now named Cody, he was adopted by a loving couple who were shocked that such a sweet and smart dog had endured such neglect.
“It’s unbelievable how someone could treat such a lovable, adorable dog so poorly,” one of his new owners told CBS 6.
Today, Cody is thriving in his new home, and his incredible recovery—referred to as a "glow-up" by the Richmond SPCA—stands as a powerful reminder of a dog's resilience and their ability to heal when shown love and care.
