Suffering Lazarus put to sleep

The dog did not rest until he was exhausted.

By D.A. WILKINSON

VINDICATOR SALEM BUREAU

SALEM — Lazarus, the neglected dog, has been put to sleep.

Jenny R. Pike, president of the Columbiana County Humane Society, announced his death Wednesday. He was put down last week as his health deteriorated.

Lazarus was found, filthy and underweight, on March 25 in the parking lot of Angels for Animals in Mahoning County. He was taken to Columbiana County for care. The dog was named for the friend that Jesus brought back to life in the New Testament.

Pike wrote in a June 7 letter to those who had sent money to help the dog, “Lazarus was humanely euthanized in the arms of his caretaker of the past two months after the determination that his health was deteriorating along with his quality of life.”

Although his health improved, he began to lose weight and was having trouble drinking water. Pike said that Lazarus would walk in circles, and he would not rest until he was exhausted.

Thanking the community

“Our lives were touched by the ability to give him the best chance possible for recuperation,” Pike wrote. “With the help of loving persons such as you, we are comforted by the reality that we did just that.”

The society created The Lazarus Fund to help the dog and other animals in similar shape that never make the news.

His story touched area residents, including students at St. Charles School in Boardman who collected $55 for the dog.

Despite several solid tips, the society was never able to find the person responsible for the dog’s condition, Pike said.

Pike and Brenda Austin, the county’s humane agent, have asked the commissioners to consider increasing dog license fees to help pay for spaying or neutering dogs with some exceptions.

The commissioners haven’t acted on the request.

wilkinson@vindy.com