Vet: Abused pup makes 'amazing' recovery

When veterinarian Frank Valenzisi first saw the emaciated pit bull pup in June, he didn't think it would make it.

The puppy, probably 6 months old, had been abandoned and tied to a fence at a Wyandanch home, according to the Suffolk County Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. A demodectic mange had caused about 90 percent of the dog's fur to fall out. Its eyes were swollen shut, its skin was inflamed and it was at least 20 pounds underweight, Valenzisi said.

Four months later, Alabama is a healthy and happy pet, living with a Suffolk family.

"I never thought she'd turn it around," said Valenzisi, a Floral Park vet who volunteers his services to the Suffolk County pet-advocacy group.

Suffolk County SPCA Chief Roy Gross echoed the sentiment Wednesday after releasing before-and-after photographs of Alabama, named by its new family. He praised the efforts of Valenzisi in the dog's recovery and thanked the family. "It's amazing. I can't believe it's the same dog," Gross said.

Kevin Sweeney, 38, of Bay Shore, said he and his girlfriend, Tracy Albertina, 31, decided to adopt Alabama in July after learning from a veterinarian friend that the dog would be euthanized because no one wanted to adopt it.

The friend "said this was the sweetest, most lovable dog. It came down to the last day or two, and I said we'd take him," Sweeney said.

"One of my sisters has a pit bull and I never met a mean one yet," Sweeney said. "She's been here since July. When we got her she had no hair. It looked like someone had set her on fire. She's gained 30 pounds and she looks great."

Gross said the investigation of Alabama's case is ongoing. Gross and Valenzisi think the puppy had been used in dog fighting and was abandoned.

A full recovery took about 3 1/2 months, Valenzisi said.

"That the dog is a loving member of a family now, gentle and affectionate; it's beyond my belief," Valenzisi said.