HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, Fla. -- Neicy, the 5-week-old boxer that survived being locked in a bathroom for two weeks without food and water is faring much better, according to Hillsborough County Animal Services spokesperson Marti Ryan.
The dog is barking and "demanding attention from people like the princess she is," says Ryan.
The puppy will be placed in foster care, a licensed staff member with extensive veterinary training, says Ryan.
Animal Services has been flooded with calls from people willing to adopt Neicy.
But there is still a long way to go before Neicy can be adopted according to Ryan.
Neicy survived, but another dog died after they were left in an apartment bathroom without food or water while the man who leased the apartment left for two weeks, investigators with Hillsborough County Animal Services say.
An adult female poodle was dead.
The boxer puppy, nicknamed Neicy by Animal Services, has an injured leg; an eye condition called "cherry eye;" coccidium, which is a bacteria infection dogs get when they eat from a floor with feces; and is thin, Ryan said.
Ryan also said the man called a friend and asked him to check on the dogs. When the friend went to the apartment at Preserve at Deer Park in Lutz, Fla., the leasing agent opened the apartment and found the animals, then called Animal Services and deputies about 10:45 a.m. Saturday.
Investigators with Animal Services have not been able to reach the 35-year-old man who rented the apartment or the friend summoned to check on the dogs, Ryan said.
"This is certainly not the way to board your pets while on vacation," Ryan said.
The Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office is also investigating, and Animal Services investigators expect to file charges, Ryan said.
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