Rottweiler Left To Die In Abandoned Apartment Finds Loving Forever Home

A Rottweiler who was found starving in an abandoned apartment has now found his forever home and is thriving.

Hank was rescued in December after being left alone for three weeks in a locked apartment without heat, water, or food. A Good Samaritan found him just in time and reached out to For the Love of Dogs Vermont for help, who in turn reached out to their network of rescues.

Vermonters Against Animal Cruelty and Abandonment (VAACA) described Hank’s situation, writing: “He is a 1.5-year-old Rottweiler who once weighed over 100 pounds but was found locked inside a home in St. Albans at just 53 pounds. The owner shut off all utilities and left him to die, cold and alone. Luckily, someone found him before it was too late.”

Hank’s former owner, Kyle Gratton, was arrested on Christmas Eve for animal cruelty and now faces charges.

Veterinarians gave Hank a body condition score of 1 on a scale of 1 to 9, as he had lost more than half his body weight. His health was touch-and-go in the first few days, but VAACA helped coordinate his medical care. Thankfully, within weeks, he began gaining weight through a carefully monitored refeeding schedule. He was then placed in foster care with Potter’s Angels Rescue to continue his recovery.

Meanwhile, Nettie and Steven Payant saw a news segment about Hank and felt an immediate connection. The couple, longtime Rottweiler lovers who have had four of their own over the years, reached out to Potter’s Angels Rescue in the new year—and soon after, they brought Hank home.

“This home was PERFECT for him. He now has 90 acres to explore with his parents, who will take him everywhere with them—he will never be alone again! His first night was spent sleeping between them, which I’m sure he was thrilled with. He has so much love to give, and he will get that tenfold in his new home,” Potter’s Angels Rescue wrote.

Since arriving at his new home, Hank has continued to gain weight and is loving life on the couple’s large property. Nettie describes him as very smart and emphasizes that rescues take time and patience—but that it’s always worth it. The Grattons recently sat down for an interview with WPTZ and shared how Hank is doing now.