Dumped Like Rubbish, Saved by Kindness: Atticus’s Fight for Life
When Atticus, a five-year-old staghound, was carried through the doors of the Lost Dogs’ Home in North Melbourne, staff members could barely hold back their tears.
Dr. Jessica Wilde, the Home’s Director of Veterinary Services, remembers the moment vividly.
“He was dumped on a pile of rubbish … like he was a piece of rubbish himself,” she said. “The sight of him brought the entire team to tears.”
Atticus arrived at the shelter in a skeletal state, weighing just 12 kilograms — less than half the healthy weight for his breed. His bones jutted out sharply, his frame so gaunt that every rib could be counted. He could not even lift his head or muster the strength to stand.
“He had clearly experienced a long period of neglect and cruelty — not being cared for, not being fed, and left to waste away,” Dr. Wilde explained.
A Symptom of a Larger Crisis
Sadly, Atticus’s story is not an isolated case. Shelters across Australia have been reporting a surge in animal surrenders. The Lost Dogs’ Home recorded a 44 percent increase in surrenders between 2021 and 2023, with nearly 2,000 animals given up last year alone.
According to Dr. Wilde, this rise is partly due to cost-of-living pressures, with many pet owners claiming they can no longer afford food, medical bills, or basic care for their animals. The surge in pandemic adoptions has also played a role.
“During the pandemic, demand for pets was incredibly high,” said foster carer Karen Moore, who has taken in dozens of animals in Adelaide. “Now that people are back at work and living their normal lives again, many are realizing they can’t give their pets the time and care they need. Demand has dropped, but the number of animals needing homes remains high.”
Dr. Wilde is sympathetic to struggling families but insists that cruelty and neglect are never acceptable.
“Cases like Atticus’s just hit harder,” she said. “This was so avoidable. There is no way he should have ever been allowed to reach this condition.”
The Long Road Ahead
For Atticus, survival is only the beginning. The shelter team describes his recovery as a “long road”, requiring careful feeding, medication, and round-the-clock monitoring.
“When he first came to us, he couldn’t even stand on his own,” Dr. Wilde recalled. “But now, thanks to intensive care, he can stand by himself. He even wags his tail when he sees us. That spark of life is coming back.”
Staff say Atticus’s gentle nature shines through despite all he has endured. He greets caregivers with soft eyes and a wagging tail, craving nothing more than human companionship.
“He is a fighter,” Dr. Wilde said. “He has such a kind spirit. He’s not out of the woods yet, but we are committed to giving him the best possible outcome.”
For now, Atticus will remain at the Lost Dogs’ Home for at least a few more months as he continues to recover. Each day brings small victories — a little more strength in his legs, a little more brightness in his eyes, and the simple joy of knowing he is finally safe.
“We don’t want to be seeing cases like this coming through our doors,” Dr. Wilde added. “It’s harrowing for the team, and animals like Atticus don’t deserve it. But now that he is here, he will never again be treated like rubbish. He will only know love.”