Although I’ve been writing about dogs for over 15 years, I’ll never, ever forget one particular case: the plight of Patrick, a starved Pit Bull who, on March 16, 2011, was found in a trash bag at the bottom of a New Jersey apartment building’s garbage chute.
The poor dog was discovered by a janitor who happened to notice a trash bag slightly moving. He notified Newark Animal Control, which picked up the emaciated dog and brought him to the Associated Humane Societies (AHS). The staff named him Patrick after he miraculously survived the night before St. Patrick’s Day,
Just how horrible was Patrick’s condition? “The depths to which human depravity can sink, as illustrated by this story and gut-wrenching pictures, can shock even those of us who have seen the worst of the worst,” AHS stated on its website at the time, with graphic photos of the starved dog.
All of Patrick’s bones protruded from his fur, he was covered in sores, and his temperature was so low that “it did not even register on the thermometer,” according to AHS. He weighed only 15 pounds.
Patrick was transferred to the trauma unit of Garden State Veterinary Specialists (GSVS), a state-of-the-art veterinary hospital in Tinton Falls, N.J. After receiving a blood transfusion, medical treatment and lots of love from the staff, Patrick “showed his determination to survive and has continued to beat the odds,” the GSVS website noted at the time. “Although Patrick has a long road to recovery, there is every indication that he will eventually be a happy and healthy dog.”
That long road to recovery included surgery to remove a large hairball in Patrick’s stomach that he’d apparently eaten out of desperation. As he became used to being fed real food by the GSVS staff, he tripled in size.
“There wasn’t any magic, honestly,” Patricia Scavelli, administrator at GSVS, told NBC New York in 2017. “We just fed him, and he developed normally.”
Custody Battle over Patrick
Patrick eventually bonded with Scavelli, whose husband owns GSVS. “He would literally crawl under my feet at the desk, feeling safe in his own little place,” she told NBC New York. She said someone from a local humane society told her she didn’t have a choice — she had to adopt Patrick.
However, the AHS wanted to take possession of Patrick instead. The miracle dog had become internationally famous, with thousands of dollars in donations from around the world pouring in to GSVS. An attorney for AHS accused Scavelli and the city of Newark of colluding to profit from Patrick, referring to the dog as a “cash cow.”
Yet at the same time, AHS had trademarked Patrick’s name. They wanted to keep Patrick at their Popcorn Park Zoo, an animal refuge open to the public, until he could be placed in a forever home.
A judge disputed AHS’s claim that Patrick’s welfare was at risk at GSVS, and ruled that Patrick stay there until the criminal case against his owner had ended.
‘Patrick’s Law’ Increases Animal Abuse Fines
Not only did Patrick make a miracle recovery, but he was also the inspiration for New Jersey’s “Patrick’s Law.” This legislation, enacted in 2013, increased fines for first-time animal abuse from $1,000 to $3,000, and for second offenses to $5,000—along with up to 18 months of jail time.
Unbelievably, the only punishment for Patrick’s owner, Kisha Curtis, was 18 months’ probation after she pleaded guilty to fourth-degree animal cruelty in 2013. She also had to pay $2,000 in restitution to the New Jersey SPCA.
Curtis had tied Patrick to an apartment stairwell and then left for a one-week trip. She admitted that she had starved her dog for a month because he nipped her hand when she fed him, but she denied tossing him down the garbage chute from the 19th floor.
Patrick’s Happily Every After
With the criminal case against Curtis over, Scavelli was finally able to adopt Patrick and take him to his forever home, where he thrived.
Patrick became BFFs with the Scavellis’ other dog, a 12-year-old Pit Bull mix named Lilly. He would follow her around and imitate her, “essentially learning how to be a dog,” according to NBC New York.
“After all he went through, finally, he’s just a happy little dog in his happy home. … He’s just eager to offer a piece of his blankie to new human friends so they can play tug-of-war, or to sit for a treat, or to keep a close eye on the lawn outside for any possible birds that encroach on his territory.”
Although his first year of life was a nightmare, Patrick the Miracle Dog became Patrick the Lucky Dog, spending the next 15 years receiving all the love he deserved from the Scavellis.
Patrick’s journey came to an end yesterday, “I’m so heartbroken to tell you all Patrick has gotten his wings,” a post announced on the Patrick’s Miracle Facebook page. “Patrick loved people despite the abuse he suffered at the hands of a few bad people. He thrived and inspired us all to be better. Thank you to all of his followers on Facebook, this is the end of his story but the beginning for many others. Love you, Patrick!”
My heart goes out to the Scavellis and to the thousands of us who were touched by the story of this amazing dog.
Earlier this year, we adopted Jake, a one-year-old Pit Bull who, like Patrick, had been starved and abused. Stay tuned to this blog for more about Jake’s recovery. In Patrick’s memory, I’m giving Jake extra hugs and love today, and I hope you do the same for your beloved dogs!
Photo: Daisy Wines/YouTube