Rhett, a resilient pit bull mix from Clark Mills, New York, is slowly clawing his way back to life after enduring unimaginable neglect.
On May 16, officers from the Kirkland Police Department and local animal control made a heart-wrenching discovery. Rhett was found alone, starving, and too weak to stand inside a seemingly abandoned apartment. His owners had moved out — and left him behind. Locked in with no food or care, the young dog was on the brink of death.
“Rhett was extremely emaciated, weak, and unable to get up on his own,” the Oneida County Sheriff’s Office said in a Facebook post. “He was transported to a local vet for emergency care.”
A Close Call and a New Chance
Thanks to quick action and compassionate hearts, Rhett didn’t die in that apartment alone. Instead, he landed in the capable hands of the Clinton Pet Vet team, who, along with Upstate Veterinary Specialties, provided life-saving treatment. Rhett needed an emergency blood transfusion and was treated for severe anemia, starvation, and a heavy flea infestation.
“No one knows how long he’d been there, but we were told he was probably days from death,” rescuers shared on a GoFundMe page organized by Kindred Spirits Greyhound Adoption Inc., the group now overseeing Rhett’s ongoing care. “Anger and sadness permeated our practice. To see pictures of him is startling — but to see him in real life is absolutely shocking.”
Despite the odds, Rhett pulled through the worst and was able to leave the hospital. He’s now recovering in a foster home where he receives love, care, and a special prescription diet. With the help of physical therapy, Rhett is slowly gaining strength, weight, and trust.
A Community Steps Up
The GoFundMe campaign set up to cover Rhett’s medical costs quickly hit its $6,000 goal, and is now over $11,000, a testament to the power of collective compassion. Kindred Spirits expressed heartfelt gratitude to everyone who donated, updating supporters with good news: Rhett is improving every day and is continuing to move in the right direction.
“He has a long road ahead, but he’s on the right path,” the rescue wrote in a post.
Justice for Rhett
Rhett’s journey to recovery has also brought accountability. On May 28, the Oneida County Sheriff’s Office announced the arrest of 36-year-old Lindsay Meelan of Clark Mills. Investigators determined that Meelan was responsible for Rhett’s abandonment and condition.
She now faces multiple charges: aggravated cruelty to animals (a felony), failure to feed an animal (a misdemeanor), and a violation of dog control procedures. Meelan was released with court appearance tickets and is scheduled to return to Kirkland Town Court on June 17, 2025.
Looking Ahead
While Rhett’s past is painful, his future is beginning to look brighter. Surrounded by care, compassion, and a growing fan base cheering him on, Rhett is proving that even after the worst cruelty, love — and healing — is possible.
From a locked apartment to a loving foster home, Rhett’s story is one of second chances. And for now, he’s exactly where he needs to be: safe, supported, and surrounded by hope.
