Emaciated dog rescued from frigid backyard in NJ

HALEDON, N.J. (PIX11) - In a frigid backyard in Passaic County, an innocent dog was fighting for her life, police said.

Haledon Borough police said a neighbor saw a year-and-a-half-old pit bull emaciated and barely breathing. After officers initially responded, Haledon police's humane officer, Cpl. April Latona, was called in.

"There was no time to waste. It was a matter of life and death," said Latona. "They had oxygen on her and had her wrapped in blankets, we put her into the vehicle and then transported her."

Police said the pit bull, named Elsa, was hypothermic and gasping for air on the way to the animal hospital in West Caldwell. Over the next few days, her life hung in the balance.

After a miraculous recovery, Elsa was checked out of the hospital. Before coming home with Jersey Pits Rescue over the weekend, she got to reunite with her hero, Latona.

"Super happy," said Latona. "It was great to see her up and walking because she couldn't do that when I first saw her, and just to know she's on the path to recovery."

"We wanted to just make sure that everything was OK with her and that she wasn't going to have to go back to the hospital," said Marie with Jersey Pits Rescue, a foster-based animal group with the mission to provide care to surrendered, stray and abandoned dogs and put them into loving, permanent homes. 

Jersey Pits Rescue took Elsa in until Sunday night, when she was connected with a more permanent foster home near Atlantic City, where she's continuing to recover.

"She's settled in there and doing really well," said Marie.

Haledon police have charged two people with third-degree animal cruelty in connection with the case. Officials said Elsa's life was saved because somebody spoke up – and animal advocates plead anyone else to do the same.

"She was minutes away from not recovering from this," said Marie.

"More than anything, we want to urge the community if they see something, say something," said Latona. "Call us, we'll always respond, we'll always investigate it. We're going to have a zero-tolerance policy for any animal who can't advocate for themself."

If you're interested in applying to adopt Elsa or keeping up with her story, visit jerseypitsrescue.com or visit them on Instagram.