Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility
Fresno Dog Found Matted and Immobile but Alive. Neighbors Thought It Was Dead.
Tony tries to stay on the Website
By Anthony W. Haddad
Published 2 days ago on
March 6, 2025

A severely matted dog, with about 3 pounds of matted fur, found in Fresno and believed to have been in poor condition for up to two years, is now receiving care while Mell's Mutts works to confirm its ownership and find a foster home. (Mell's Mutts)

Share

Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

A dog, originally named Faul, was found in the Pinedale neighborhood of Fresno, severely matted to the point that it was unable to move. The dog had three pounds of matted fur, which the rescuer compared to having toilet paper rolls wrapped around its arms.

The dog, about 15 years old according to its microchip, may have owners in San Leandro though the information gathered is no longer accurate.

A photo of the dog after it arrived to the veterinarian. (Mell’a Mutts)

Flea-Infested Fur Causing Dog to Go Blind

The fur had caused the dog to go blind, as it was unable to blink, preventing its eyes from being lubricated.

The dog was infested with fleas, and there were concerns it may have had maggots due to feces sticking to its skin.

A concerned Facebook follower reached out to Mell’s Mutts, a local non-profit in Fresno, fearing for the dog’s life.

A severely matted dog, with about 3 pounds of matted fur, found in Fresno and believed to have been in poor condition for up to two years, is now receiving care while Mell's Mutts works to confirm its ownership and find a foster home. (Mell's Mutts)
A severely matted dog, with about 3 pounds of matted fur, found in Fresno and believed to have been in poor condition for up to two years. (Mell’s Mutts)

The follower walked door-to-door in the neighborhood, where neighbors said they thought the dog was dead and left it alone.

Mell Garcia, founder of Mell’s Mutts, believes the dog had been in this condition for one to two years.

Garcia took the dog to the vet immediately, where it required oxygen and sedation for treatment.

A photo of the dog receiving critical care. (Mell's Mutts)
A photo of the dog receiving critical care. (Mell’s Mutts)

Unable to move, the dog was easily placed in a box for transport.

Veterinarian Care Quickly Works to Keep Dog Alive

After veterinary care, the dog received blood work, flea treatment, and will likely stay at the vet for a few days to receive fluids and food to stabilize.

The dog will then go home with Garcia for monitoring before a search for a foster home begins.

Garcia noted that because the dog has been in this condition for so long, it will be highly sensitive to touch, making aftercare crucial. There are concerns that the dog could be injured if not closely monitored.

Garcia said finding animals in critical condition is becoming more common, with many people ignoring the animals because they are used to seeing them in such conditions. She urged people to contact Animal Control immediately when encountering an animal in critical condition, as they may be running out of time.

Garcia also warned that while shelters may be lowering adoption fees, the financial responsibilities of pet ownership remain significant.

—

Connect with Anthony W. Haddad on social media. Got a tip? Send an email. 

RELATED TOPICS:

DON'T MISS

Traveling Abroad? If You’re Paying With Dollars, Your Trip Is on Sale.

DON'T MISS

Iran’s Top Leader Rejects Talks With the US Over Missile Range, Regional Influence

DON'T MISS

FEMA Cancels Classes at National Fire Training Academy Amid Federal Funding Cuts

DON'T MISS

North Korea Unveils Nuclear-Powered Submarine for the First Time

DON'T MISS

Labor Unions Seek to Block DOGE Access to Social Security Data

DON'T MISS

House GOP Unveils Partisan Spending Bill, Dares Democrats to Oppose It

DON'T MISS

14-Year-Old Charged with Killing a Police Officer and Wounding Another

DON'T MISS

Trump Will Lead Task Force Preparing for 2026 World Cup

DON'T MISS

Trump Has Begun Another Trade War. Here’s a Timeline of How We Got Here

DON'T MISS

2 Days of Clashes in Syria Leave More Than 600 People Dead

UP NEXT

Iran’s Top Leader Rejects Talks With the US Over Missile Range, Regional Influence

UP NEXT

FEMA Cancels Classes at National Fire Training Academy Amid Federal Funding Cuts

UP NEXT

North Korea Unveils Nuclear-Powered Submarine for the First Time

UP NEXT

Labor Unions Seek to Block DOGE Access to Social Security Data

UP NEXT

House GOP Unveils Partisan Spending Bill, Dares Democrats to Oppose It

UP NEXT

14-Year-Old Charged with Killing a Police Officer and Wounding Another

UP NEXT

Trump Will Lead Task Force Preparing for 2026 World Cup

UP NEXT

Trump Has Begun Another Trade War. Here’s a Timeline of How We Got Here

UP NEXT

2 Days of Clashes in Syria Leave More Than 600 People Dead

UP NEXT

Chiefs Receiver Xavier Worthy Is Arrested in Texas on a Family Violence Assault Charge

Anthony W. Haddad,
Multimedia Journalist
Anthony W. Haddad, who graduated from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo with his undergraduate degree and has an MBA at Fresno State, is the Swiss Army knife of GV Wire. He writes stories, manages social media, and represents the organization on the ground.

North Korea Unveils Nuclear-Powered Submarine for the First Time

14 hours ago

Labor Unions Seek to Block DOGE Access to Social Security Data

15 hours ago

House GOP Unveils Partisan Spending Bill, Dares Democrats to Oppose It

16 hours ago

14-Year-Old Charged with Killing a Police Officer and Wounding Another

16 hours ago

Trump Will Lead Task Force Preparing for 2026 World Cup

17 hours ago

Trump Has Begun Another Trade War. Here’s a Timeline of How We Got Here

18 hours ago

2 Days of Clashes in Syria Leave More Than 600 People Dead

18 hours ago

Chiefs Receiver Xavier Worthy Is Arrested in Texas on a Family Violence Assault Charge

18 hours ago

South Korea’s Impeached President Yoon Released From Prison

18 hours ago

Muslim Nations Reject Trump’s Call to Empty Gaza of Its Palestinian Population

18 hours ago

Traveling Abroad? If You’re Paying With Dollars, Your Trip Is on Sale.

Last August, a hotel room in Europe priced at 200 euros was about $224. Last month, travelers spending American dollars would pay only $208....

11 hours ago

11 hours ago

Traveling Abroad? If You’re Paying With Dollars, Your Trip Is on Sale.

12 hours ago

Iran’s Top Leader Rejects Talks With the US Over Missile Range, Regional Influence

12 hours ago

FEMA Cancels Classes at National Fire Training Academy Amid Federal Funding Cuts

14 hours ago

North Korea Unveils Nuclear-Powered Submarine for the First Time

15 hours ago

Labor Unions Seek to Block DOGE Access to Social Security Data

16 hours ago

House GOP Unveils Partisan Spending Bill, Dares Democrats to Oppose It

16 hours ago

14-Year-Old Charged with Killing a Police Officer and Wounding Another

17 hours ago

Trump Will Lead Task Force Preparing for 2026 World Cup

Help continue the work that gets you the news that matters most.

Search

Send this to a friend