SAN DIEGO - An off-duty Marine made a heartbreaking discovery after coming home from work -- a young, starving pit bull left tied to a Dumpster in the Talmadge area.
The skinny dog was standing behind a Dumpster near an apartment complex on 52nd Street when Jaryd Horsley said he got home from work around 2:30 a.m.
"I heard a growl and she was tied up. The leash was wrapped around her neck and tied to the Dumpster. The leash was so short she was choking if she tried to sit down," said Horsley.
For Horsely, a dog lover, it was a heartbreaking sight.
"Waiting for the trash to come pick her up, that's what it seemed like. It's rough. Who would do this to an innocent puppy?" asked Horsley.
Horsley and his fiancée fed the dog, named her Phoebe and took her to the vet. A veterinarian told them the dog -- who appeared to be all skin and bones -- was about 8 months old and suffering from a bad skin infection.
After an exam, Phoebe was also diagnosed with a life-threatening heart murmur. If left untreated, Phoebe was given about a year to live.
Horsley has no idea if that's the reason why Phoebe was dumped. Whatever the reason, Horsley said he's just glad Phoebe ended up in his life.
"I just want her to be happy, be comfortable and have good life, no matter how long it is," said Horsley.
Phoebe's vet bill is expected to rise from hundreds to thousands of dollars.
A GoFundMe campaign has been set up to help with Phoebe's care.
