Lucky is charming

You can call her Lucky.

Lucky was found without food or water in the backyard of an abandoned rental house on Seventh Street. Her owners had moved out and left her there to fend for herself.

Joyce Trower with Trower Realtors, which owns and leases the house, was told that neighbors were giving her food and water when possible. It wasn't enough. When Lucky was found, she was dehydrated and had stressed-induced mange. It appeared all hope was gone.

"She had no hair, nothing but skin and bones. I told the vet to put her down," Humane Society director Dale NeSmith said.

"She was just curled up next to her empty food bowl," Trower said.

But Lucky persevered.

Much to the surprise of NeSmith and Trower, Lucky is now thriving. Her black coat has grown back out, and she has put on a healthy amount of weight.

Lucky's story is not a rare one. Trower, who said she and her husband oversee 40 to 50 rental homes, said she sees this scenario all too often. Usually, the animal is not so fortunate.

Trower said improper care and training for an animal is the number one reason apartments either do not allow pets or charge exorbitant pet deposits. She said they allow pets on their properties but have deposits and stipulations in place. Despite these standards, Trower said some people still find ways around them and will keep more pets than allowed or leave them there when they move out.

Trower and NeSmith both wanted to stress that abandoning an animal without food, water or proper care is illegal according to Texas state law. Trower said when possible, she has pressed charges but often the former residents do not leave a forwarding address.

The Odessa Humane Society, 7012 Mockingbird Lane, is packed with animals. With the holidays coming up, NeSmith said it is important to consider the responsibilities of pet ownership and giving animals as gifts. Animals require time, care and patience, and he said it was important to take the time to find the right one. Often, it is hard to judge what another person needs in an animal. Many animals that are Christmas gifts, end up right back at the shelter.

NeSmith said he has high hopes for Lucky and said she is up for adoption.

"She really is a sweet dog ... I can't believe she's got the hair on her she does," he said.

NeSmith wanted to point out that her mange was not contagious to animals or humans and was brought on by stress and lack of food and water. Lucky and all animals that are brought to the Humane Society are given their shots and spayed or neutered.

Trower herself has three dogs she got from the shelter and rescue groups and emphasized how good animals can be for a person. She said her elderly parents have a cat they just can't stop "fussing over."

"It gives them a reason to live," she said.

What the law says

Texas law deems "cruel" situations where a person has failed to act or failed to provide care for an animal.  Failing to act or provide care rises to the level of cruelty when it involves either: (1) failing to provide necessary food, care or shelter; or (2) abandoning unreasonably an animal. "Necessary food, care, or shelter" is statutorily defined to include "food, care, or shelter provided to the extent required to maintain the animal in a state of good health." Texas courts have also clarified that necessary food means food sufficient in both quality and quantity to sustain the animal in question.