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Before. Photo: Deb Coleman, Humane Society of the Upper Valley

How natty are your dreads?

Psssh. That ain't nothing compared to Buju Banton over here. According to the Rexburg Standard Journal, this dog (yes, that is indeed what this Rastafarian-Cousin-It-looking creature is) was snagged by police when a resident of St. Anthony, Idaho reported an "animal of unknown species" in her backyard.

The police contacted the local chapter of the Humane Society, who brought the extraordinarily hirsute canine to a nearby animal hospital. The staff there were able to remove nine pounds of matted hair from the 11-pound dog, although the poor, put-upon pooch had to be anesthetized in order to remove the hair from his paws. Because of the neglect, the dog will require some further medical care, and remains in the custody of the Humane Society.

After. Photo: Deb Coleman, Humane Society of the Upper Valley

Police were able to locate the owner of the dog, but he or she was found to be of "diminished capacity," and will probably not be charged for animal cruelty or neglect, reports the Rexburg Standard Journal. The owner had other dogs as pets too, but those animals were judged to be in good health.

Those photos of the dog with all that matted fur are funny and cute, and it's OK to have a chuckle over them, but in the end it's not worth the price of a neglected dog who had to suffer with almost twice his body weight in dreadlocks dragging him down and making him sick. We're glad the little fella is getting the care he needs, and we hope that the owner will receive the care that he or she needs as well.


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Renee#1 Renee10-17-2009 @ 11:53AM

This is not cute or funny, it is sad. I understand the owner has problems and this does not appear to be intentional but can the owner be monitored and ordered not to get any additional pets unless it has been proven their situation has improved? I just rescued a puppy that was abused in a home down the street. He had a cardboard box as shelter and was always running around the neighborhood with a leash on, it would run into anyones house it could get into and eat their dogs food and then just shake from fear. The puppy is only 4 months old! I told the owners if it ran into my house again I was keeping it. I didn't keep him but I found him a loving home with an older couple that can give him the love and attention he deserves! It took 3 days before the other people even noticed he was gone!

GLORIA HALLELUJAH#2 GLORIA HALLELUJAH10-17-2009 @ 2:54PM

DEAR RENEE,
THERE'S A SPECIAL PLACE IN HEAVEN FOR FOLKS LIKE YOU.

LovesPets#3 LovesPets10-17-2009 @ 2:46PM

Kudos to you, Renee. People think I got "beat" because I bought a six week old Rottweiller pup from this guy who claimed to be a breeder (out of his home, my pup is probably inbred). I paid good money for this little ball of fur that reminded me of the dirty kid in Charlie Brown; he had fleas just jumping all over the place and was very dusty, plus he had small holes in his head that had dried blood stuck in them. We got him his shots, flea bath, Frontline, nails clipped, regular vet visits and we are now about to pick up his license. He is flea free and so happy to be with his 13 year old boy. When we got him he scurried under a chair and hid until my son came home. They have been inseperable ever since. He's a quick learner too; he will respond to our commands of "sit" stay" or "Go with Brother...Sister... or Daddy (whichever applies)" Come here" "No" Stop" and "let's go ouside". He's also house trained (he's 4 months old) and he lets us know by whining and scratching the floor when he has to "go". He also thinks he can take his own leash handle in his mouth and go for a walk, like he's walking himself. We are so happy we have him and he is happy he has us. My neighbors have all been cmmenting to me about how repsonsible my son is with his dog, but what got me was when my son came to me with a goofy grin on his face recently after playing with the dog and said "Mommy, I'm in love!!". I'm glad his focus is where it should be.
The poor pet in this article...I am so happy someone discovered him so that he could be treated to a good cleaning, grooming and healthcare. He's absolutely beautiful now.

BBSBaby2#4 BBSBaby210-17-2009 @ 3:40PM

IMHO, I think that ALL animals should be removed from the home of this person. If they re of dimished capacity to adequately care for one animal, the other pets should not be
subjected to a possibility of encountering the same mistreatment. Instead, let this person be given a pet rock or a chia pet.

Aquarius#5 Aquarius10-17-2009 @ 4:02PM

Your a saint. Someone should send this picture to Dear Amy, as she has printed an article in the past, WITH A VETS APPROVAL stating dogs shouldn't be groomed more than once a year! Maybe if someone sent her this photo the idiot would repeal her article.

sheila peace#6 sheila peace10-17-2009 @ 5:05PM

Good for you ! It's time to take a stand against people that neglect or deliberately abuse their pets. Aside from our children, there is nothing sweeter in this world than the love of a cherished pet.

msharvie#7 msharvie10-17-2009 @ 6:49PM

I agree with you 100%. Sometimes people do need some help with the animals they have and its not funny when an animals fur is so matted they can't even walk normally. We are supposed to be the guardians of Gods creatures and we seem to be failing miserably.

Kate#8 Kate10-17-2009 @ 8:06PM

Ehmagawd! That is terrible! People are right sick!
Poor little guy! It's good to see someone found him in time, the outcome could have been a lot worse!

Cool Pet Picks#9 Cool Pet Picks10-17-2009 @ 12:39PM

Oh boy! I can't believe the before picture! The groomer deserves some kind of a reward! It's sad that the owner let the hair get so bad before they decided to groom it.

Erin#10 Erin10-17-2009 @ 2:11PM

The owner didn't choose to groom it- the authorities were called.

ruthie#11 ruthie10-17-2009 @ 2:24PM

Funny? Cute?????!!! Gee, I wonder how the owner would've felt if it had to be under all that fur People like that make me sick. Wonder how she would treat a child if she treats a dog like that.

vmwood50#12 vmwood5010-17-2009 @ 2:17PM

So, so sad!

Thunderdragon#13 Thunderdragon10-17-2009 @ 2:14PM

Awww, wow, that poor little dog! That had to be miserable! :*( If the owner is, as the artical suggested, been a little slow in the head, I hope they can get help, too. The after picture is so unbelievable; the dog is stunning! I hope he finds a nice loving home soon!

Tiffany#14 Tiffany10-17-2009 @ 2:22PM

What a beautiful dog! I just want to scoop him up in my arms and love him forever!

robert#15 robert10-17-2009 @ 2:46PM

In the before or after shot?

Tiffany#16 Tiffany10-17-2009 @ 2:49PM

:D (after) lol

kadb41#17 kadb4110-17-2009 @ 2:25PM

they need to take the other dogs away from the loser that owned him! so sad and unbelieveable it went on for so long....

msmanorlee52#18 msmanorlee5210-17-2009 @ 4:23PM

Just another sad comment on the state of our mental health care in this country. even affecting our domestic pets! Please, though, people! Brush your dog ! At least once a week, if not daily!! Think I'll do my little girl right now!

Stella#19 Stella10-17-2009 @ 2:26PM

I don't care if the owner is incapacitated obv if she has other pets she must have some knowledge and she should be held responsible for the pain and suffering of the dog. period

gbldivmrk#20 gbldivmrk10-18-2009 @ 5:12PM

I find it very difficult to believe that the dog in the after photo weighed only two pounds. However, the dreadlocks remind me of many people that look just as dirty.



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