A pitbull was found emaciated and near death in a Paterson basement, chained to a post with less than 3 feet of slack.

The female pitbull was found chained in the basement of a North Third Street home, said John DeCando, Paterson chief animal control officer. The dog's owners had moved out and left her there to die, he said.

"I sent Angel Rivera, my animal control officer, to the location," DeCando said. "He couldn't believe what he saw. He saw a pitbull that was almost a skeleton. Her ribs are sticking out. She was malnourished. It was more or less left like yesterday's garbage."

At about 8:35 a.m., the first-floor tenants called animal control to report that a dog had been left chained in the basement, without food or water and with all the windows closed, DeCando said. On a day when the outdoor temperature was expected to breach the 90s, the dingy, filth-covered basement was sweltering, reaching the 100s.

The approximately 1-year-old pitbull's burnt-orange fur was taut against her exposed ribs. Sores and cuts were all over her feet and belly. When animal control officers gave her water to drink, the dog's mouth shone white from dehydration.

As soon as he could, DeCando called Ramapo-Bergen Animal Refuge, who took the pitbull to Oradell Animal Hospital. The dog was being stabilized and cleaned before seeing if there were any injuries, said Frannie Laurita, animal welfare specialist at the refuge.

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"She's in very guarded condition," Laurita said. "She can't stand. She can't even lift her head at this point. We don't know if she's injured, if she can use those legs or not."

The pitbull will likely be under observation at the hospital for the next few weeks, Laurita said. In the meantime, Laurita decided to name the dog something that could inspire hope: Phoenix.

"She'll rise from the ashes," Laurita said. "She'll be a symbol of hope."

Any donations are asked to be sent to the Ramapo-Bergen Animal Refuge, 2 Shelter Lane, Oakland NJ 07436.

Email: torrejon@northjersey.com